Psych 15 Ch3 Psych Models Su 15 – Dr. Mascolo
Each Model (i.e., Perspective or School of Thought) -- of mental disorders is distinguished by a Hallmark (i.e.,
Cardinal) tenet that distinguishes it from every other.
Biological Model
HALLMARK TENET: Mental Disorders are Medical Disorders -- like any other medical malady humans suffer.
Psychiatrists are specialized neurologists.
Causal Factors:
• Brain Structure
• Brain Function
• Genetics
• Evolution
• Viral
Treatments:
•Pharmacotherapy (“Psychotropics”)
•ECT
•Surgery
Psychodynamic Model
HALLMARK TENET: Symptoms plague patients but also function as an unconscious compromise -- no matter how
much suffering they cause, the threat of emerging unconscious material is even worse (i.e., Pt takes a “Flight into
Illness”).
• “Dynamic” refers to tensions between psychic structures (i.e., id, ego, superego)
• Unconscious is the main determinant of experience & actions
• Hypnosis, Free Association
• Ego employs Defense Mechanisms:
all distort reality— but they can be classified in 2 camps:
Sophisticated -flexible & adaptive:
vs.
Primitive -- rigid & maladaptive:
Repression, Intellectualization,
Denial, Reaction Formation,
Rationalization, Sublimation,
Splitting, Projection, Acting Out,
Humor, Regression in Service of the Ego (Play)
Regression, Undoing
• Resistance – (e.g., “Flight into Health”)
• Transference/Countertransference
Behavioral Model
HALLMARK TENET: Mental Disorders are just like any other learned behavior -- acquired through conditioning, they
are learned and can therefore be unlearned. (Not necessary to identify the acquisition variables, focus instead on the
maintaining variables)
Classical Conditioning --- Operant Conditioning
e.g., Mowrer’s “Two - Factor Theory” of Phobias:
Acquired via association (Classical Conditioning)
Maintained via Negative Reinforcement (Operant Conditioning)
Psych 15 Ch3 Psych Models Su 15 – Dr. Mascolo
Cognitive Model
HALLMARK TENET: Mental Disorders -- specifically emotional problems like Mood and Anxiety Disorders -- are
actually based in errors of reasoning.
Aaron Beck’s Cognitive Triad
Humanistic-Existential Model
HALLMARK TENET: “3rd Force” – An alternative to Psychoanalysis & Behaviorism – emphasis on free will & essential
goodness
Carl Rogers – Humanism –
 “Counselor” instead of “Therapist” -- -- “Client” instead of “Patient”
 Clients -- “Normal People with Normal Problems - - They have their own answers –conselors need only
support their efforts -- Nondirective
 3 factors are Necessary & Sufficient in therapy:
1. Accurate empathy
2. Unconditional positive regard
3. Genuineness
 Most therapists would agree these factors are Necessary but not Sufficient
Thomas Szaz – “The Myth of Mental Illness”
 Mental Illnesses do not exist – they are figments & convenienesses of social control