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

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

Answer: (B)

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 factors.
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 therapy.
4. Contrast this with other perspectives that might view disorders as moral failings, normal variations, or learned behaviors, which the medical model does not support.
5. Conclude that the medical model best understands psychological disorders as diseases or illnesses with biological causes that can be diagnosed and treated.