Multicultural Model Essay

I think the best, most logical, and most realistic explanation of abnormal behavior is the multicultural model, which according to the textbook is “the view that each culture within a larger society has a particular set of values and beliefs, as well as special external pressures, that help account for the behavior of its members” (62). This particular model attributes environmental and social factors as causing abnormal and dysfunctional psychological functions, because of their prominent and powerful influence on individuals’ conscious and subconscious, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This models also acknowledges and respects cultural diversity, while catering to these differences in ways that specifically emphasizes and celebrates these

This model, along with its “key therapist technique” is one of the only institutionally applied ways that discusses this topic, as most of society is weary, uncomfortable, or uneducated of how to approach it. While one of its weaknesses is that its research support is merely moderate, this is simply because testing this model is more difficult than testing the success of other models. This is because this model does not believe in turning humans into test subjects, and thus ridding them of their humanity, which is enlightening and can justify this low research support. The fact that the “consumer designation” is client based is also a strength of the model because referring to those seeking advice or guidance as “patients,” medicalizes these individuals, and thus may impose them with a permanent, stigmatized, and inaccurate label because of this term. This is also true with certain models like the biological model that searches for perhaps natural or inherent and inescapable internal causes to abnormality, which negatively accredits certain individuals as biologically abnormal and dysfunctional. This trend was a prominent approach in historical dynamics as well. For example, this occurred when certain