Alternatives to the Medical Model

• Behavioural explanation of mental illness - operant conditioning/classical conditioning (learning my association)
• An unconditioned stimulus leads to an unconditioned response
• A neutral stimulus paired with an unconditioned stimulus leads to an unconditioned response
• Phobias are formed when neutral objects have been paired with fearful stimuli to cause an association.
• Reinforcement leads to an increase in the desired behaviour in a more ethical way
• Punishment leads to a decrease in the unwanted behaviour but isn't as ethical
• Behavioural treatment of mental illness - Systematic Desensitisation (Graduated exposure therapy) - Classical conditioning
• A conditioned stimulus leads to a conditioned response
• Systematic Desensitisation:

  1 Can't be both scared and relaxed at the same time

  2 Create a hierarchy of fear

  3 Teach relaxation exercises e.g. deep breathing

  4 Introduce the bottom level of the hierarchy and expose patient to it until fully relaxed

  5 Work way up hierarchy repeating step 4
• Cognitive explanation for mental illness - Faulty thinking
• REBT - Rational emotive behavioural therapy
• SIT - Stress innoculation therapy
• Humanist explanation for mental illness - We are naturally motivated to become the best human beings we can - Self actualisation tendency (unconscious process guiding us)
• We need a nurturing environment to be valued for this to happen when society doesn't value us we develop a poor self concept
• Self concept leads to your self esteem
• Your self esteem is your current self-image and who you ideally want to be - To be healthy these need to be balanced otherwise larger gaps can lead to mental illness
• What is the cognitive explanation for mental illness according to the study material?


  Faulty thinking
• What is the sequence of the cognitive model in mental illness?

  • Activation event (A)
  • Beliefs (B)
  • Consequences (C)
• What are the components of the dispute process in cognitive therapy?

  • Dispute (D)
  • Effective philosophy (E)
  • New feeling (F)
• What does REBT stand for?


  Rational emotive behavioural therapy
• What does SIT stand for?


  Stress inoculation therapy
• How do REBT and SIT differ in their approach to mental illness?


  • REBT focuses on changing faulty beliefs.
  • SIT focuses on preparing individuals to cope with stress.