Biopsychosocial Model Psychology

Definition of the Biopsychosocial Model in Psychology

The biopsychosocial model or perspective in psychology helps us piece together the different parts of a person's story. This perspective says that a person's behaviors and thoughts can only be explained by taking into account biological, psychological, and social factors. Humans are made up of systems within their bodies, psychology, and social lives. Humans are biopsychosocial beings.

The biopsychosocial model, StudySmarter Original

Let us consider an example to discuss how the biopsychosocial model can be applied in real life.

Biological Factors of the Biopsychosocial Model

Biological factors within the biopsychosocial model are factors that exist within the human body that directly affect how a person behaves and how they think. Our bodies are made up of many systems that are interconnected, so when we consider how biological factors affect how we behave and think, we must examine these internal processes, even though we are not aware they are happening!

Biological factors can be physical, physiological, neurological, chemical, and/or genetic.

Examples of biological factors:

• Physical health or illness

• Genetic predispositions

• Genetic mutations

• Physiological changes

• Abnormal levels of specific neurotransmitters

• Hormonal imbalance

• Brain injuries

• Misfiring of neurons

Psychological Factors of the Biopsychosocial Model

Psychological factors within the biopsychosocial model are factors that involve the human mind and its functions. Psychological factors include mental and emotional factors.

Examples of psychological factors:

• Cognitive processes, perceptions, and interpretations

• Learned expectations

• Emotional responses

• Mental disorders

• Memories

• Personality

• Past experiences of similar situations

• Trauma

Social Factors of the Biopsychosocial Model

Social factors within the biopsychosocial model are factors that affect thoughts and behavior within a social and cultural context. Social factors refer to the factors and conditions within the environments where people are born, live, play, work, and age.

Examples of social factors:

• Peer, parent, and group influences

• Cultural and societal expectations

• The presence of others in a situation

• Personal, family, and religious values

• Role models

• Media

• Access to social services

• Access to quality health care

• Education

The Biopsychosocial Model of Psychological Disorders

Just as how biological, psychological, and social factors can influence how a person acts and thinks, these factors interact with one another and contribute to the development of specific psychological disorders and other diseases. Our well-being is impacted by all of these factors: brain function, our genes, our living environment, our inner thoughts and feelings, and our cultural and social environments.

The Medical Model

In the late 1970s, George Engel (an American psychiatrist) published an article on the biopsychosocial model. He thought that this new model could replace the current medical model of diseases. He thought that the medical model focused too much on biology and not enough on other factors. He and many others believed that the medical model led to inadequate patient care. The medical model supports the belief that mental disorders are a product of physiological factors, so it treats them as physical diseases. The use of medication is a typical treatment. It is more common for psychiatrists to adopt this model than psychologists.

The New Biopsychosocial Model

Engel thought that the biopsychosocial model would help care providers treat patients more holistically in their diagnoses and treatment plans. He wanted this new model to completely replace the medical model as the dominant way to think about disorders and illnesses.

Those who support the biopsychosocial model truly see the importance of considering factors from a person's entire life, as there are many things that contribute to a person's physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Psychologists practicing within this framework are considered eclectic.

Even though the biological, psychological, and social spheres are very different, they are thought of as complementary to one another. Therefore, the biopsychosocial model is an integrative approach that allows us to have a more complete picture of human behavior and mental processes. The model itself pushes psychologists to adopt varying levels of analysis.

Examples of the Medical Model and the Biopsychosocial Model

Let's take a look at two different examples and discuss the approach that the medical model and biopsychosocial model would take for each.

Example 1: Schizophrenia

The medical model would look at Schizophrenia strictly through a medical lens. It would consider Schizophrenia a disease, focusing on biological factors that contribute to its development, and the symptoms experienced by the person diagnosed with the condition. The model would highlight that it is best treated with medication. A common type of medication used would be antipsychotics.

The biopsychosocial model would consider how biological, psychological, and social factors interact in the development of Schizophrenia. The diagram below shows some biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that are risk factors for developing Schizophrenia.

A biopsychosocial model of Schizophrenia, StudySmarter Original

Example 2: Pain

The medical model would look at the experience of pain as a series of biological processes that occur within the central and peripheral nervous systems. The model might also consider treating pain with medication such as opioids.

The biopsychosocial model would consider how biological, psychological, and social factors interact in how someone experiences pain. The diagram below shows some biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that can contribute to the way pain is experienced.

A biopsychosocial model of pain, StudySmarter Original

Strengths and Weaknesses of the of the Biopsychosocial Model

Let's explore strengths and weaknesses of this model.

Strengths

• It combines three different viewpoints/perspectives - biological, psychological, and sociocultural.
• It allows us to gain a more complete picture and understanding of a person's behavior and mental processes. In fact, if we could only choose one perspective or approach in psychology to use, the biopsychosocial model would likely offer a better understanding by itself than any of the other models alone!
• The biopsychosocial model takes a more holistic approach.

Weaknesses

• There are so many factors to consider that it is easy to overlook something important.

• Certain factors play more of a role than others in the development of a specific disorder.

• It is virtually impossible to consider every single biological, psychological, and social factor in a person's life.

• The medical model is still the dominant model in medicine; the new model still needs more work.

• It places so much emphasis on the factors in a person's life that we might forget to consider the client-provider relationship.