MODELS OF ABNORMALITY

Models of Abnormality
Whitney N Robinson
Ivy Tech Community College
September 18, 2015

MODELS OF ABNORMALITY

There are many different types of models of abnormality. The

names of those models are the biological (medical) model,
psychodynamic model, behavioral mode, cognitive model, and the
humanistic model. All the models play a very important role in
our lives.
I believe the psychodynamic model best explains abnormal
behavior. Sigmund Freud first developed this model. Freud
believed that early childhood experiences and unconscious
motivation were responsible for disorders. Since it was first
created it has had a huge influence on all of abnormal
psychology. Therapists use this as an alternative approach to
biological abnormality. This model is all about the psychological
mind. The psychodynamic model has many strengths and weaknesses.
There are many assumptions made about the psychodynamic
approach. Many people assume our behaviors and feelings are
powerfully affected by the unconscious mind. Some believe all
behavior has a cause (usually unconscious), even slips of the
tongue. Therefore saying all actions are determined. I do have to
agree with this, I believe all actions are determined.
The first strength I noticed was the psychodynamic model has
many observations of psychodynamic therapists who appear to be
borne out in everyday life. An example of that is defense

MODELS OF ABNORMALITY

mechanism.

A defense mechanism is a way that we shield ourselves

from things that we don't want to think about or deal with.

Psychoanalytic therapy started the defense mechanism term.
Telling someone they are in denial or rationalizing is an
example.
Rationalization is replacing a reasonable and adequate
reasoning for the unacceptable feeling. Defense mechanisms
include being deceitful, delusion, negative feelings and
irrational talking. These things happen so quickly that one
cannot notice them, and one does not want to notice them. Refuses
to recognize what are self-lies, used to submerge the truth, to
avoid challenging reality or one's true feelings. We become
distant from our real feelings and beliefs.
Another strength is by developing a method of treatment,
Freud encouraged a more optimistic view regarding psychological
distress. In some cases mental illness could be treated. Although
it does have several strengths, this model also has its
weaknesses. One weakness is the psychodynamic theory
underestimates the role of situation and context. It over
emphasizes internal instincts and conflicts. This means it
basically relies on what is going on internally with someone
rather than the actual situation.

MODELS OF ABNORMALITY

I believe you have to look at the big picture. What is

going on internally and the actual situation. Dont just focus on
one or the other. Another weakness is the tendency to ignore the
patients current problems by focusing on past conflicts. This is
said to not be true in many later versions of psychoanalysis.
In my opinion the poorest model would have to be the
behavioral model. The goal of behaviorism has been to move
psychology toward a scientific model. This would focus on the
measurement and observations of behavior. Behaviorists have a
deterministic view of mental disorders.
The first strength I am going to discuss is it is widely
regarded as lending itself to the scientific study and
evaluation. This just means it dedicates itself to scientists. I
found this strength interesting that it has led to the
development of specific behavioral therapies, many of which have
had a very high success rate. Also, proponents of this model
argue that once the symptoms of illness are alleviated, the
complaint disappears.
One weakness that really caught my eye about this model was
that the environmental causes of abnormal behaviors in patients
are rarely discovered. They hardly ever figure out what is
causing the patient to do and act the way he/she does.

MODELS OF ABNORMALITY

The behavioral and psychodynamic approaches are the two main

approaches to personality. These two view personality from
totally diverse standpoints. When comparing the psychodynamic
approach with the behavioral approach the psychodynamic approach
ignores the trappings of science unlike the behavioral approach.
Instead it concentrates on trying to get inside the head of
individuals. So they can better understand their life
experiences, relationships, and how they see the world.
The psychodynamic approach recognizes our experiences from
our childhood. By doing this it can get a better understanding of
what is truly going on with us and in our lives. The
psychodynamic approach believes what happened to you as a child
could have a huge effect on what you do and how you act later in
life. In comparison with the behavioral approach it believes that
everything with a human is mechanical. Meaning humans can suffer
psychological illnesses.
Unlike the psychodynamic approach, the behavioral approach
disregards a portion of the unconscious. Psychodynamics studies
behavior that is measured by the insensible process of our
instincts. The behavioral model focuses more on childhood traumas
than the psychodynamic model does. The psychodynamic approach

MODELS OF ABNORMALITY

develops a method of treatment, while the behavioral model

believes on certain things can be treatment.
I believe that models have different good points of views.
They both focus on important things and make sense. Although I
would have to say the behavioral approach is my least favorite.

MODELS OF ABNORMALITY

Sources
Saul McLeod (2007). Psychodynamic Approach.
www.simplypsychology.org/psychodynamic.html

Gregory Mitchell (2015). Sigmund Freud & Freudian Psychoanalysis.

http://www.mind-development.eu/freud.html

Encyclopedia of Psychology (2015). Different Approaches to

Psychotherapy. www.apa.org/topics/therapy/psychotherapyapproaches.aspx

BJ Fogg (2015). What Causes Behavior Change.

http://www.behaviormodel.org/

Ronald J. Comer (May 30, 2013). Abnormal Psychology. 8/e (DSM 5

Update Edition)