Biomedical Model

Individuals in western societies, in particular, are expected to conform to certain societal norms, in order to be considered ‘healthy’. Those who deviate from this norm are seen as different and vulnerable, hence human suffering in the context of this argument refers to those individuals who are different and vulnerable in society. Social control is conceptualised as the means by which society secures adherence to social norms (Conrad & Schneider, 1992) which elucidates the constant need to eliminate behaviours, often deemed as abnormal. A strong influential mechanism has been presented in the form of the biomedical-model, which has successfully controlled human suffering. The biomedical model assumes that the causation of deviant behaviour is biologically specific. This perception allows for the probable causes in societies to be concealed, shifting responsibility to the individual, permitting the control of human suffering. The claim that the biomedical model is an acceptable vehicle for the social control of human suffering will be illustrated through a brief discussion regarding how the biomedical control's suffering, and the use of illustrative examples, including those most vulnerable; children, individuals from specific backgrounds, and the elderly.
Argument of the biomedical model and social control The biomedical model has resulted in the expansion of boundaries regarding medical diagnoses. Since, the model is associated with biological reductionism; various disorders have been developed over the years in an attempt to explain differences among individuals in a society. Despite little empirical evidence, abnormal behaviours were classified as disorders based on the beliefs of the biomedical model. This is reflected in the growth of disorders included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, increasing from 106 in 1952 to 297 in 1994 (Beutler & Malik, 2002). The DSM, reinforced by the biomedical model, is an extremely powerful