perspectives used to explain events are known as models or paradigms which are used to explain and treat psychological struggles

a model focuses on one aspect of human functioning

no one model explains all aspects of psychopathology, each model is helpful in some way but not all ways

biological model also known as the medical model; made to understand brain anatomy and brain chemistry so psychology as a field can be seen as a more trusted and hard science

abnormal activity in certain NTs are associated with certain mental disorders either too much or too little production can be the cause

the endocrine system is also linked to psychopathology cortisol - released from the endocrine system; higher cortisol production = higher anxiety and mood disorders

biological treatments pinpointing a physical source of dysfunction to create a plan for treatment

psychodynamic models psychoanalytic model, the oldest model Sigmund Freud, father of psychoanalytic theory and therapy, kind of mommy issues and memes

• 3 unconscious forces
  • ID - Pleasure
  • Ego - Reality
  • Superego - Morality

decision fatigue* feeling exhausted from following a pattern / listening to rules when there are endless possibilities

FREUD'S STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT (_via sexual fixations_) oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital stages

oral stage 0-18 months

• maintain hunger/thirst
• their goal is to give up breastfeeding and become more independent

anal stage 18m - 3.5 yrs

• child receives pleasure from releasing bodily waste
• power struggle and the confusion of being told no

phallic stage 3.5 - 5 yrs

• understanding of genitalia and the do's and don'ts of the topic of genitals
• penis jokes
• indentification with some-sex parent & internalization of gender norms
  • penis envy - women and young girls showcase envious of men having penises because of the privilege and underlying liberties having a penis gave you (at the time)

latency stage

genital stage stage is achieved when a person makes it through all the other stages with enough available sexual energy

• the issue with this theory is that it is believed that this is the last stage of life and that our life is defined purely by sex and sexual fixations