According to the medical model, psychological disorders are best understood as which of the following?

• A. Diseases or illnesses that have biological causes and can be diagnosed and treated
• B. Moral failings or weaknesses of character
• C. Learned behaviors that result from environmental conditioning
• D. Normal variations in human experience that do not require intervention

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the medical model in psychology views psychological disorders similarly to physical diseases, emphasizing biological factors.
2. Recognize that according to this model, disorders are considered to have identifiable biological causes, such as genetic, neurological, or biochemical abnormalities.
3. Note that the medical model supports the idea that these disorders can be diagnosed through specific criteria and treated medically, often with medication or other biological interventions.
4. Contrast this with other perspectives, such as moral failings (which attribute disorders to character flaws), learned behaviors (which focus on environmental conditioning), or normal variations (which do not see disorders as needing treatment).
5. Conclude that the medical model best aligns with the view that psychological disorders are diseases or illnesses with biological causes that can be diagnosed and treated.