Contrast the use of biomedical and individual approaches to the treatment of one disorder.

Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.

The command term “contrast” requires candidates to give an account of the differences between biomedical and individual approaches to the treatment of one disorder. Critical thinking (synthesis/analysis) may also be demonstrated by referring to an eclectic approach that combines biomedical and individual approaches to the treatment of one disorder.

Expect a range of different approaches to treatment to be offered in response to the question. Individual treatments could include systematic desensitization, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or person-centred therapy. Biomedical approaches could include drug therapy, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or psychosurgery, for example. Responses should provide an accurate and well-organized description of both approaches to treatment.

Contrasting points addressed may include, but are not limited to:

• the effectiveness of the two approaches to treatment
• the assumptions about etiology upon which they are based with regard to the disorder
• cultural, gender, ethical or practical issues related to the implementation of biomedical and individual approaches to the treatment of one disorder.

Responses should be focused on biomedical and individual approaches to treatment of one specific disorder to demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding relevant to the question.

If a candidate contrasts the use of biomedical and individual approaches to treatment for more than one disorder, credit should be given only to the part of the response relevant for the first disorder.

If a candidate contrasts the use of biomedical and individual approaches to the treatment with no explicit link to one specific disorder, the response should be awarded up to a maximum of [4] for criterion A, knowledge and comprehension, up to a maximum of [5] for criterion B, critical thinking, and up to a maximum of [2] for criterion C, organization.

If the response contrasts group approaches to treatment to biomedical/individual approaches to treatment, the response should be awarded up to a maximum of [4] for criterion A, knowledge and comprehension, up to a maximum of [3] for criterion B, critical thinking, and up to a maximum of [2] for criterion C, organization.