The Biopsychosocial Model (DP IB Psychology)

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

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