Medical Model

Definition

The medical model is a framework for understanding disability that views it primarily as a deficiency or impairment that needs to be treated or cured. This perspective focuses on the physical or mental limitations of individuals, often neglecting the broader social, cultural, and environmental factors that contribute to their experiences. The medical model typically leads to interventions aimed at rehabilitation and normalization, emphasizing the individual's need to adapt to societal expectations rather than questioning the barriers that society itself creates.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The medical model has dominated Western healthcare approaches for many years, leading to a focus on diagnosing and treating disabilities as health issues.
2. This model often relies on professionals such as doctors and therapists to determine the necessary interventions for individuals with disabilities.
3. Critics argue that the medical model can stigmatize individuals by portraying them solely through the lens of their impairments, ignoring their strengths and contributions.
4. In art representation, the medical model can influence how disability is depicted, often resulting in portrayals that emphasize suffering or tragedy rather than empowerment and diversity.
5. A shift away from the medical model towards more inclusive perspectives, like the social model, encourages society to reconsider how environments and attitudes impact individuals with disabilities.

Review Questions

• How does the medical model define disability, and what are some key implications of this definition for individuals with disabilities?
  • The medical model defines disability as a deficiency or impairment that requires treatment or correction. This definition implies that individuals with disabilities are viewed primarily through their limitations, often leading to a focus on rehabilitation rather than empowerment. As a result, this perspective can foster a sense of dependency on medical professionals and may overlook the importance of societal factors that contribute to the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
• Evaluate the impact of the medical model on the representation of disability in art and cultural institutions.
  • The medical model's focus on impairment can heavily influence how disability is portrayed in art and cultural institutions. Art created under this framework may depict individuals with disabilities in ways that emphasize their struggles or the need for cure. This can lead to a narrow narrative that fails to showcase the diverse experiences of disabled individuals and their contributions to society. Shifting toward more inclusive representations requires challenging these traditional narratives informed by the medical model.
• Synthesize your understanding of how shifting from the medical model to the social model might change societal attitudes towards disability and its representation in art.
  • Shifting from the medical model to the social model fundamentally changes how society perceives disability, viewing it not as an individual deficiency but as a result of societal barriers. This shift encourages art and cultural representation to highlight empowerment, diversity, and inclusivity rather than just focusing on impairments. It allows for richer narratives that celebrate the lived experiences of disabled individuals and challenges societal norms. Ultimately, this transformation fosters greater understanding and acceptance within society.

Related terms

Social Model:

The social model of disability emphasizes that societal barriers and attitudes, rather than individual impairments, are the primary causes of disability.

Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation refers to a set of interventions designed to help individuals regain or improve their physical, mental, and social capabilities following an impairment.

Impairment: Impairment is a loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure or function that can affect an individual's ability to perform tasks.