Certified Brain Injury Specialist Practice Exam

Which model views disability as a result of sin, evil, or a character flaw?

1. Moral or religious model

2. Medical model

3. Functional model

4. Social model

The correct answer is: Moral or religious model

The moral or religious model of disability interprets disability as a consequence of sin, evil, or a deficiency in one's character. This model stems from the belief that certain individuals may be afflicted with disabilities due to moral failings or as a punishment for transgressions. This viewpoint can often lead to stigmatization and unrealistic expectations of those with disabilities, as it places responsibility for their condition on either their actions or inherent morality. In contrast, the other models, such as the medical model, conceptualize disability primarily as a biological or physiological issue that needs to be treated or managed. The functional model focuses on the capabilities and activities of individuals, while the social model emphasizes the barriers society creates that can hinder individuals with disabilities, rather than any perceived personal shortcomings. Each of these models offers different perspectives on disability, but they do not attribute disability to moral or character-based failings, which is the defining feature of the moral or religious model.