The Biomedical ModelThe Biomedical Model

Main assumptions:Main assumptions:– Psychological disorders are illnesses or Psychological disorders are illnesses or

diseases affecting the nervous systemdiseases affecting the nervous system– Abnormal behaviour, thinking and emotion are Abnormal behaviour, thinking and emotion are

caused by biological dysfunctionscaused by biological dysfunctions– Understanding mental illness involves Understanding mental illness involves

understanding what went wrong with the brainunderstanding what went wrong with the brain

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The Biomedical ModelThe Biomedical Model

Possible causes of abnormal behaviour:Possible causes of abnormal behaviour:– BiochemistryBiochemistry – an imbalance of certain – an imbalance of certain

neurotransmitters or hormones might cause neurotransmitters or hormones might cause parts of the brain to malfunctionparts of the brain to malfunction

– Structural damage or abnormalityStructural damage or abnormality – if the – if the structure of the brain is damaged or structure of the brain is damaged or improperly formed then thinking, emotion and improperly formed then thinking, emotion and behaviour may change behaviour may change

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The Biomedical ModelThe Biomedical Model

Factors that may affect NS functioning:Factors that may affect NS functioning:– Genetics – inherited developmental Genetics – inherited developmental

abnormalityabnormality– Toxicity – chemical poisoning from e.g. drugs Toxicity – chemical poisoning from e.g. drugs

or environmental toxinsor environmental toxins– Infection/disease – causing chemical or Infection/disease – causing chemical or

structural damage to the brainstructural damage to the brain– Stress – causing abnormal hormonal effects Stress – causing abnormal hormonal effects

in the long termin the long term

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Brain Abnormality (Structure)Brain Abnormality (Structure)

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Brain Abnormality (Structure)Brain Abnormality (Structure)

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Brain Abnormality (Functioning)Brain Abnormality (Functioning)

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