Trull, a mental disorder is a group of emotional (feelings), cognitive (thinking), or behavioral symptoms that cause distress or significant problems. .
2. Define and describe the three (3) components to abnormality. .
The three (3) components to abnormality are: deviance from the norm, difficulty adapting to life's demand and experience of personal distress. .
3. Be able to describe the biological, humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and social-cultural models of mental disorders. .
Scientist and mental health professionals develop perspective or models to piece together why someone has problems. These models are systematic ways of viewing and explaining what we see in the world. .
(i) The biological model focuses on genetics, neurotransmitters, brain changes, and other physical factors. This model rests on the assumption that mental states, emotions, and behaviors arise from brain function and other physical processes. This model has been used for centuries and is stronger than ever today. The biological model includes the use of medication and is supported by scientific research that links genetics, neurochemistry, and brain changes to various psychological problems.
(ii) The psychodynamic model focuses on internal personality characteristics. According to Abnormal Psychology and Life: A Dimensional Approach (Kearney & Trull, 2012), "the biological model focuses on internal physical structures related to mental disorder'. This model also focuses on mental structures that comes from the Freudian theory that assumes mental states, emotions and behaviors arise from motives and conflicts within a person.
(iii) The humanistic model focuses on personal growth, choice and responsibility. The main assumption of this model is that people are naturally good and strive for personal growth and fulfillment. A second key assumption of the model is that humans have choices and are responsible for their own fates.
