Critically assess the extent to which the medical model of abnormality has successfully explained mental-ill health.

... Critically assess the extent to which the medical model of abnormality has successfully explained mental-ill health. (18 Marks) The medical model (sometimes known as the biological model) became most dominant in the middle of the 19th Century, and is still the most dominant model up to date. It was thought that abnormal behaviour came from mental illness caused by organic or physical disorder. This is a biological approach regarding abnormality as an illness or disease. Some mental illnesses have been linked to microorganisms. Barr et al 1990 found there was increased evidence of schizophrenia in children whose mothers had the flu when they were pregnant. This suggests that the cause of mental illness might be a disease. Psychiatrists usually adopt this model as they are trained in medicine having obtained a medical degree. Doctors base their diagnosis on physical symptoms e.g. raised blood pressure. Although many psychological disorders do not have physical basis

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