Models of Abnormality Test

Today's test caused some problems for some people, either because of a lack of preparation, intellectual power, or in some serious cases a bit of both. Disturbingly, some are finding it hard to tell the models apart, so here's a quick idiot's guide:

• Biological model - physical causes and 'brain stuff' - genes; infection; biochemistry (neurotransmitter imbalances); neuroanatomy (brain structure)
  
• Psychodynamic model - Freud; unconscious desires and memories; id, ego and superego; psychosexual stages and fixation; defence mechanisms
• Behavioural model - faulty learning - simple associations; classical and operant conditioning; no biological or mental causes
• Cognitive model - faulty thinking - negative thoughts, beliefs or schemas; biases in attributions or memories

Click here for a model answer (and a 4/6 mark evaluation) to the psychodynamic model question in the test.

A hard question was about twin or family studies - these are important evidence for the biological model because they support some role of genes in most disorders.

This web page is a fairly straightforward explanation of twin studies.

Or try this youtube tutorial.