Classification and Assessment of Abnormal Behavior - Essay Example

The strengths of this model are: (1) some identified disorders can be treated completely with medications and (2) few disorders were reported to have been caused by physical illnesses (Models of Mental Illness, n.d., p. 2). The weaknesses focus mostly on the adverse effects of the drugs and medications used to alleviate the identified illnesses. Psychodynamic Model emphasizes the psychological forces or unconscious conflict that persons could be unaware of but impacts on abnormal behavior. The strength of this model lies in more open minded approach in determining the causes of the illness which was instrumental in designing new therapeutic interventions that have been proven to be effective.

The weakness, however, is the long procedure to observe and enforce interventions taking years and therefore spending more. Behavioral Model focuses on observable behavior. The strength of this model is it can be tested, verified and validated where effective short term therapies could be enforced. The weaknesses are tendencies for shallow interventions and possibilities of manipulating variables in the design. Cognitive Model “emphasizes the role of thinking and information processing in mental disorders; attempts to find causal links between thought patterns and mental illnesses” (Models of Mental Illness, n.d., p. 6). .

The strength of this model is it can be tested, verified and validated where effective short term therapies could be enforced. The weaknesses are tendencies for shallow interventions and possibilities of manipulating variables in the design. Cognitive Model “emphasizes the role of thinking and information processing in mental disorders; attempts to find causal links between thought patterns and mental illnesses” (Models of Mental Illness, n.d., p. 6). The strength is this model is the theories are based on the crucial element of human thoughts which could be empirically tested.

The weaknesses are difficulties in evaluation and tendencies to focus on a narrow scope. Humanistic/Existential Paradigm focused on the theory that “people are born naturally socialized and people can only be understood from the vantage point of their own feelings” (Paradigms for Abnormal Behavior, n.d., p. 1). The strength takes into account the social issues that influence abnormal behavior. However, the weakness is its focus on emotions and feelings rather than on mental and rational thoughts.

Diathesis-Stress Model states that “psychopathology results from an interaction between biological predisposition and environmental influences. This allows a variety of models to make a contribution to the understanding of abnormality” (Pearson Education Limited, 2001, p. 2). The weakness is the failure to incorporate other models in conjunction with this paradigm to increase effectiveness and validity of findings. 4. What is the DSM-TR-IV? What is meant by multi-axial? What are the diagnostic categories of the DSM-TR-IV (what is covered under each axis)?

The DSM-TR-IV “is the handbook used by mental health professionals for diagnosing mental illness. Specific