The Biopsychosocial Model (HL IB Psychology)
Revision Note
Explanation of the biopsychosocial model
The biopsychosocial model (BPS) sees health as being holistically influenced by:
biological factors - such as genetics, hormone levels, brain and anatomy
psychological factors - such as individual dispositions and health beliefs, coping skills, emotions
sociocultural factors - such as socioeconomic status, social support, relationships, living conditions
The BPS model was proposed in 1977 by the psychiatrist George Engel to replace the earlier biomedical model of health
Engel argued that the biomedical model was reductionist, because it focused on the body as separate from the mind (and on parts of the body as separate entities), ignoring the interaction between them
Exam Tip
When writing your introduction to an answer on the biopsychosocial model, remember to include how the model developed from the previous biomedical model and identify the difference between them. You will be looking separately at biological, cognitive and sociocultural explanations for the health problem of stress later in this health unit. Understanding the biopsychosocial model will help you also to answer a question about the interactions between any of these explanations.
Playing games with friends is an interaction of the biological, psychological and social that contributes to health and well-being
Research which investigates the biopsychosocial model
Marmot et al. (1997) found a correlation between low control over one’s work and heart disease
Suls and Rothman (2004) found that health psychologists have acknowledged the biopsychosocial model and reference it in their research, but their studies are not focused enough on the links between the biological, psychological and social domains
Both Marmot et al. (1997) and Suls and Rothman (2004) are available as ‘Two Key Studies of the Biopsychosocial model’ – just navigate to the next section of the Biopsychosocial Model topic to find them.
Evaluation of the biopsychosocial model
Strengths
The biopsychosocial model of health and well-being recognises the role of social inequalities in the development of health problems and so can take a proactive approach to illness prevention
The model is empowering for individuals as it gives them some control over their health by taking their experiences and emotions into account
Limitations
The model is very complex and it can be difficult to isolate the variables that are responsible for a health problem when focusing on the biopsychosocial interaction between them
The identification of psychological factors such as disposition and personality type as being involved in illnesses like heart disease can lead to patients blaming themselves for their lack of health, which is counter-productive
Did this page help you?