Biomedical Approach

The biomedical approach is a scientific framework for understanding human behavior through
biological foundations. This approach emphasizes the role of genetics, neurobiology, and
physiological processes in influencing behavior, emotions, and cognitive functions. Historically,
this perspective gained prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, aligning with
advances in medical science and psychology.
Fundamental Concepts
At its core, the biomedical approach posits that behavior is largely determined by biological
factors. This encompasses the interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental
influences, recognizing that while biological factors are crucial, they do not operate in isolation.
Key Components of the Biomedical Approach
This approach prioritizes studying the role of neurotransmitters, hormones, brain structures, and
genetic variations in influencing behavior.
1. Genetics:* Variations in genes can influence behaviors, including susceptibility to mental
health disorders. Genetic studies, including heritability estimates, provide insight into this
relationship.
2. Neurotransmitters:* Chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine play significant
roles in mood regulation and behavior. Imbalances can lead to psychological issues.
3. Brain Structure and Function:* Different brain regions are associated with specific behaviors.
For example, the amygdala is critical for emotional processing.
4. Hormonal Influences:* Hormones can affect mood and behavior, as seen in conditions like
premenstrual syndrome and stress responses.

Major Theories in Biomedical Psychology

Psychobiology:* Examines the biological underpinnings of psychological phenomena.
Neuropsychology:* Focuses on how brain injuries and diseases affect behavior and cognitive
function.
Evolutionary Psychology:* Explores how evolutionary processes shape psychological traits and
behaviors.
Methods of Study
Research methodologies in the biomedical field include:
Neuroimaging Techniques:** Functional MRI (fMRI) and PET scans allow researchers to
visualize brain activity and structure.
Genetic Studies:* Twin studies and adoption studies help disentangle genetic and environmental
influences.
Pharmacological Studies:* Investigate the effects of drugs on behavior and mental processes.
Applications of the Biomedical Approach
The biomedical approach has practical applications in:
Mental Health Treatments:* Psychopharmacology is a significant aspect, with various
medications aimed at correcting neurotransmitter imbalances.
Understanding Psychological Disorders:* Disorders such as depression, anxiety, and
schizophrenia are studied through a biological lens.
Behavioral Interventions:* Combining biological insights with therapeutic techniques can
enhance treatment efficacy.
Limitations of the Biomedical Approach
While the biomedical approach offers valuable insights, it has limitations:
Reductionism:* It may oversimplify complex behaviors by focusing solely on biological factors.
Ignoring Social and Environmental Factors:* This approach may overlook the impact of socio-
economic, cultural, and psychological factors on behavior.
Integrative Approaches
The biopsychosocial model integrates biological, psychological, and social factors, providing a
more holistic understanding of human behavior. This model encourages interdisciplinary
research, combining insights from psychology, sociology, and medicine.

Humanistic/Existential Model
Existential Model: This model is not scientifically based. It's base is literature and philosophy.
That is, the existential approach is first philosophical. It is concerned with the understanding of
people’s position in the world and with the clarification of what it means to be alive. It is also
committed to exploring these questions with a receptive attitude, rather than a dogmatic one: the
search for truth with an open mind and an attitude of wonder is the aim, not the fitting of the
client into pre-established categories and interpretations. The existential approach considers
human nature open-ended, flexible and capable of an enormous range of experience. The person
is in a constant process of becoming. ‘I create myself as I exist’. There is no essential, solid self,
no given definition of one’s personality and abilities.
Existential thinkers avoid restrictive models that categorise or label people. Instead, they look
for the universals that can be observed transculturally. There is no existential personality theory,
which divides humanity up into types or reduces people to part components. Instead, there is a
description of the different levels of experience and existence that people are inevitably
confronted with.
The existentialists believe that the depersonalising effects of this environment forces individuals
to make their own destiny. So the individuals shape their own identity and make their "existence"
meaningful and worthwhile to themselves. This is more true and happening in today's
urbanisation. Because people have become so materialistic and busy, they do not have time for
traditional values and norms and it becomes impractical sometimes to follow them. Existential
model is, especially true when one is employed in today's world. Though this model is not
scientific it can be definitely used in understanding human behaviour.

Key Concepts:

1. Freedom and Responsibility:

o Freedom to make choices entails the obligation to take responsibility for their
consequences, fostering personal accountability and growth.
2. Authenticity:
o Living authentically means aligning one’s actions and choices with their true self,
core values, and deeply held beliefs, fostering genuine self-expression and
purpose.
o Avoiding “bad faith”, which refers to self-deception or living inauthentically by
conforming to societal expectations at the expense of one’s true self.
 3. Search for Meaning:
o Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” underscores the critical role of
finding purpose, even amidst suffering, as a way to transcend challenges and
cultivate resilience.
4. Existential Anxiety:
o Natural response to confronting life’s ultimate concerns: death, isolation,
freedom, and meaninglessness.
o Rather than being avoided, existential anxiety should be acknowledged and
embraced as a vital part of personal growth and self-discovery.

Humanistic Approaches

As is common with many of the psychogenics. the humanistic approach emerged, in part, is as a
reaction to both psychoanalysis/psychodynamic approaches and the behavioral approach.
Humanists saw behavioral models as mechanical and overly focused on an objective perspective,
lacking an understanding and concern for the depth of human experience, consciousness, and
personality development. They also saw psychodynamic and analytic approaches as cold, distant,
and overly deterministic regarding human development, especially the concept that negative
early childhood experiences generated “fixations” or an inability of a person to progress in their
life.
They also believed these approaches were focused primarily on pathology, what is wrong with
someone, rather than acknowledging human creativity, growth, and adaptation. Abraham
Maslow, one of the major figures in the humanistic movement said, “It is as if Freud supplied us
the sick half of psychology and we must now fill it out with the healthy half.
The humanistic perspective within psychology emphasizes the potential for good that is innate to
all humans. Two of the most well-known proponents of humanistic psychology are Abraham
Maslow and Carl Rogers. Abraham Maslow (1908–1970) was an American psychologist who is
best known for proposing a hierarchy of human needs in motivating behavior. Maslow asserted
that so long as basic needs necessary for survival were met (e.g., food, water, shelter), higher-
level needs (e.g., social needs) would begin to motivate behavior. According to Maslow, the
highest-level needs relate to self-actualization, a process by which we achieve our full potential.
Carl Rogers (1902–1987) was also an American psychologist who, like Maslow, emphasized the
potential for good that exists within all people. Rogers’s focus was to ensure that human
developmental processes led to healthier, even more creative, personality functioning. The
term actualizing tendency was also coined by Rogers, and was a concept that eventually led
Abraham Maslow to study self-actualization as one of the needs of humans.

Key Concepts:

1. Self-Actualization:
o Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs culminates in self-actualization,
representing the fulfillment of one’s potential and the pursuit of personal growth
and self-expression.
o Achieving one's fullest potential requires harnessing creativity, identifying a clear
sense of purpose, and engaging in authentic self-expression, all of which
contribute to a meaningful and fulfilling life.
2. Unconditional Positive Regard:
o Carl Rogers highlighted the transformative power of acceptance and empathy,
underscoring their role in creating a supportive environment that fosters personal
growth and self-awareness.
o Encourages individuals to express their true selves freely and authentically,
fostering an environment of acceptance and growth.
3. The Fully Functioning Person:
o Characteristics include openness to experience, trust in oneself, and a sense of
purpose.
4. Phenomenology:
o The emphasis is on individual subjective experiences as the ultimate reality,
highlighting how personal perception shapes one’s understanding of the world
and themselves.
 o “Our subjective perception shapes our reality and holds more significance than
objective existence, as it determines how we experience and interpret the world.”

Comparisons and Contrasts

Similarities:

 Emphasis on the whole person and their subjective experience.

 Belief in human freedom, potential, and responsibility.
 Focus on present and future, rather than dwelling on the past.

Differences:

Humanistic Psychology Existential Psychology

Optimistic view of human nature Neutral or realistic view of human nature
Focus on growth and self-
Focus on confronting existential realities
actualization
Therapy aims to enhance self- Therapy addresses existential concerns like death, freedom,
worth and meaning

Implications
Real-World Applications:

 Therapeutic Settings:
o Humanistic approaches: Enhancing self-esteem, emotional well-being, and
personal growth through methods such as client-centered therapy, which
emphasizes empathy, acceptance, and genuine understanding.
o Existential approaches: Providing support during crises, addressing trauma, and
guiding individuals through significant life transitions by fostering resilience and
meaning-making.
 Education and Leadership:
o Promoting creativity, fostering autonomy, and enabling self-fulfillment in
educational institutions and workplace environments by creating supportive and
growth-oriented cultures.
 Personal Growth:
o Engaging in self-reflection to explore meaning, cultivate authenticity, and clarify
personal goals as pathways to a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

Conclusion:

 Humanistic and existential approaches offer profound and insightful frameworks for
understanding human behavior, focusing on personal growth, meaning, and the richness
of individual experience.
  These approaches prioritize the depth and diversity of human experience, emphasize the
importance of individual choice, and underscore humanity's inherent capacity for growth
and transformation.
 By embracing both, we gain deeper insights into the complexities of human existence and
potential.

Internal vs. External Determinants of Behaviour

Environment plays a major role in shaping behaviour and genetic endowment and personality
development is influenced by our historical heritage.
Personality vs the Environment
Both personality and situational variables must be taken into account in order to explain an
individual's behaviour but a focus on the environment is as important or perhaps slightly more
important than focusing on personality traits.
Cognition vs the Environment To understand one's behaviour all we have to know is the
individual's past responses to similar (stimulus) situations and the rewards or punishments that
followed that response. There are two models, which come out of these approaches: