Abnormality Models - Essay Example

Abnormality Models Instruction: Task: Introduction Life has several interesting behaviors that are evaluated using the abnormality models in the field of sociology. This means that it is upon the personalities and people around to support the varying methodologies of cure in order to avoid the spread of such illnesses. For example, among the notable models in the abnormality domain include biological model, psychodynamic model, behavioral model and cognitive model. In that context, these models are supposed to instill cure to its patients with the assistance of medical systems that are applied after proper diagnosis (Comer 2010, p.145). However, there are always certain disparities that arise whenever a model does not apply to a given illness especially in the symptomatic situations. This requires proper and efficient diagnosis from specialists such as psychiatrists and psychologists to affect the most appropriate solution without any side effects. Additionally, there is also an urgent need to weigh the repercussions of such medical cures to mitigate on unnecessary injuries. Biological model According to sociologists, there are four main abnormality models and they include biological model, psychodynamic model, behavioral model and cognitive model. These abnormalities have the purpose of expound on the causes and cures for other related psychological illnesses and they assume a different outlook. For instance, biological model in the field of abnormality is the only model that lacks a basis on the psychological principles. However, most of its assumptions rely on the brain, related biochemicals and neuronatomy that encompass certain physical entities that function together. These functions have the objective of mediating the psychological processes thereby treating mental abnormality that must have either a physical or biological angle (Laubichler & Muller2007, p. 167). In other words, a section of this theory comes from research conducted into the main components of Serotonin and neurotransmitter that majorly indicates illnesses of psychological nature. For instance, the illnesses include anorexia nervosa, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia that arise because of diminished levels of Serotonin in the brain. Additionally, the model also implies that the approach of treating psychological illnesses should be similar to that of physical illnesses that are mainly caused by physical stress, microbes, and chemical imbalance among others. Other related cures include the use of drugs or direct surgery. There is also the therapy of electroconvulsive that witnessed major success in the treatment of short-term symptoms of depressive symptoms that are associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and other related illnesses. However, there has not been proper explanation for this queer behavior of electroconvulsive therapy in the proper treatment of mental illnesses. Psychological illnesses are also suspected to be caused by genetic factors that arise from family history. In that aspect, the foremost cure any psychological illness falling under the biological model with include drugs, surgery and electroconvulsive therapy (Laubichler & Muller2007, p. 171). These forms of cures have cited to bring a restoration of normality in the alleviation of psychological illnesses. However, there are negative ramifications that bound to occur if the drugs cause addiction or allergic reactions. On that perspective, electrotherapy is deemed to cause unnecessary stress with surgeries that deform the personality of a person. This is prevalent in the hypothalamus part of the brain that deals solely with emotions. Psychodynamic model In the hierarchy of the abnormality models, psychodynamic model is the fourth among the models and it leans on the work of renowned psychologist, Sigmund Freud. It relies on the principality that psychological illnesses arise from emotions and thoughts that have been repressed. This always stems from bad experiences of childhood that alters the behavior of an individual because of the repressive symptoms. Therefore, in order to receive a cure, it is upon the patient to make admission of the emotion or thought that is suffering from repression. In other words, the complete understanding of the individual is the first goals of finding the most effective cure for such illnesses (Jarvis 2004, p. 134). On that account, there major cure for these illnesses under the jurisdiction of the psychodynamic model involves free association whereby the patient has the ultimate freedom to speak with psychiatrist while notes are taken down. This has the advantage of making attempts at interpreting and understanding the troubled areas of the patients and finding for other alternative cures. However, there is little proof concerning the functionality of the model hence it is still not mainly applicable. This suggests that there are instances of discrepancies whereby a patient may narrate freely to a psychiatrist the repressed emotions and thoughts but fail to be cured of the psychological illness (Jarvis 2004, p. 145). In the same aspect, such illnesses have a tendency of appearing periodically hence making the life of the patient difficult to comprehend even when using the psychodynamic model. Behavioral model Another interesting form of abnormality model is the behavioral model. This model has the assumptions that all maladaptive behavior is mainly obtained from one’s environment. In that case, psychiatrists in this field are expected to reform the altering behavior over the identification of the cause of the dysfunctional behavior. On that account, experts say the major solution to psychological illness under this domain of abnormality is the aversion therapy. This is whereby the stimulus causes of provocation of the dysfunctional behavior followed by a second stimulus. In that perspective, this has the goal of producing a new reaction to the injection of the first stimulus that has a basis on the experiences of its successor. Additionally, there is also systematic desensitization that is always used in the cure for phobias (Kalueff et al 2008, p.190). This involves the utilization of the present phobia that provokes the dysfunctional behavior and merging it with another phobia that has an intense reaction with counterproductive results. In other words, this is directed at neutralizing the powers of the first phobia because it has been subjected to the reactions of the second phobia. Furthermore, the success of the model has been witnessed in the cases of compulsive disorders and other related phobias. However, it never focuses on the cause of the problem or illness hence it has the risks of recurrence in the individuals. It is also imperative to observe that behavioral model has consistently surpassed the ethical questions of being termed as either abnormal or ill. Alternatively, it has focused on behavior and its relation with adaptive or maladaptive tendencies among personalities. This model also permits personality and the cultural variations to be subjected under scrutiny for cure (Kalueff et al 2008, p.199). As long as the behavior is not presenting any problems to person or to other people, then it is not rational to judge the behavior as a mental disorder. In other words, those in of the psychodynamic model allege that behavioral model only has its focus on the symptoms at the expense of the causes of the abnormal behavior. Furthermore, the claims continue to assert that there other emotional problems that are distracted by mere symptoms diagnosed in individuals by the model. This always a situation called symptom substitution. On that case, this is whereby a symptom emerges in a different context if there is no proper diagnosis of its causes and origins. Cognitive model This model has close resemblance with the behavioral model especially on the aspects of behavior. However, it majorly focuses on teaching the patient to reason differently instead of teaching him/her to behave differently. On that account, the model assumes that if the feelings and emotions of patient are altered towards something, there will be an induction of behavioral change with external characteristic. In that case, despite the glaring similarities with the Behavioral model, under this model psychiatrists apply varying methods for cures. The major cure that is used by specialists in this model is Rational Emotional Therapy (RET) and it has a basis on the principality of emotion activation (Levine 2000, p.89). In other words, this methodology has the ability to cause alterations in the thoughts that are directed toward a situation especially the irrational and illogical thoughts. Therefore, the application of this therapy ensures that the psychiatrist questions and evaluates the irrational thoughts and their superseding consequences. Additionally, the semblance of this model to the Behavioral Model in the context of success has also ensured the treatment of phobias and compulsive disorders. Despite the inability to deal with problem directly, the Cognitive Model tries to alter the situation in a broader sense than Behavioral Model. Another fundamental aspect of the cognitive model includes the inclusion of the effects of environment in shaping the intimacy of an individual and the superseding illness (Levine 2000, p.94). This is manifested mainly in the thinking process where the adversities of the environment are paramount for development. Conclusion Therefore, there should be sustained assessment of the abnormality models with the hope of eradicating mental illnesses (Strack 2006, p.109). This means there should be independent use of the models in their different contexts especially those that have no direct medical cures. It should also take into consideration the essence of emotions and thoughts that adversely influence the outcome of therapies that are common in behavioral and cognitive models. In other words, there should be differentiation in the utilization of cures that require counseling and open talk rather than surgeries and drug medication. Bibliography Jarvis, M 2004, Psychodynamic Psychology: Classical Theory and Contemporary Research, Cenegage Learning EMEA, Mason. Levine, D 2000, Intro. Neural & Cognitive Model.2nd C, Routledge, New York. Strack, S 2006, Differentiating Normal and Abnormal Personality: Second Edition, Springer Publishing Company, New York. Laubichler, M & Muller, G 2007, Modeling Biology: Structures, Behavior, Evolution, MIT Press, Belmont. Kalueff, A et al 2008, Behavioral Models in Stress Research, Nova Publishers, New York. Comer, R 2010, Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology, Worth Publishers, Mason. Read More