AS Psychology Unit 2- Abnormality

• Psychodynamic: id, ego, superego. Unconscious, preconcious, conscious. Defence mechanisms.
• Limitations: reductionist model, not easily testable, based on case studies.
  
• Biological: treats abnormality as a medical/physical condition. Caused by genetics, chemicals, infections.
• Strengths: no blame on the patient, treatment is effective.
• Limitations: reductionist model, inconclusive evidence (concordance is never 100%).

        Abnormality...

• Cognitive: abnormality is caused by faulty thought processes which lead to maladaptive responses. Activating event~rational/irrational thoughts about event A~adaptive/malaptive responses. Beck's cognitive triad.
• Strengths: Supported by research: Beck (1976), Meichenbaum (1977).
• Limitations: blame on individual, only the outcome is important.

           Abnormality...

• Behavioural: abnormal behaviours are learned through conditioning or social learning. Maladaptive behaviours are learned and reinforced e.g. phobias.
•  Limitations: focuses only on the outcome/effect, not the underlying cause. Blame on the individual for 'learning' their disorder.