Which of the following is true of mental illness according to the medical model?

• A. Mental illness is viewed as a disease with biological causes that can be treated medically.
• B. Mental illness is not considered a legitimate health concern in the medical model.
• C. Mental illness is primarily caused by unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences.
• D. Mental illness is best understood as a result of social and cultural factors.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the medical model of mental illness, which conceptualizes mental disorders similarly to physical diseases, emphasizing biological and physiological causes.
2. Step 2: Recognize that according to the medical model, mental illness is viewed as a condition that arises from biological factors such as genetics, brain chemistry, or neuroanatomy.
3. Step 3: Note that the medical model supports the idea that mental illnesses can be diagnosed, treated, and potentially cured through medical interventions like medication or other biological treatments.
4. Step 4: Contrast this with other perspectives, such as the psychodynamic model (which focuses on unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences) and the sociocultural model (which emphasizes social and cultural influences), to clarify what the medical model does not prioritize.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the statement 'Mental illness is viewed as a disease with biological causes that can be treated medically' aligns with the medical model, while the other options reflect different theoretical approaches.