16 markers

Question 1

1. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE TWO OR MORE DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY

(Deviation of social norms)

Answer 1

• One definition of abnormality is known as the deviation from social norm definition.
• A social norm is an unwritten rule about what is acceptable within a particular society.
• Therefore, according to this definition, a person is seen a abnormal if their thinking or behaviour violates these social norms of what is acceptable.
• For example, if someone was walking around the streets of London naked, you might think they were abnormal.
• However, this same behaviour in a remote African tribe would be considered perfectly normal a part of their culture.

Question 2

2. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE TWO OR MORE DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY

(Limitation of deviation of social norms?)

Answer 2

• One issue with this definition of abnormality is that social norms change over time, an issue referred to as hindsight bias.
• For example, homosexuality was regarded as a mental illness in the UK until 1973, often resulting in institutionalisation, but is now simply considered a variation of normal behaviour.
• This means that, historically, a reliance upon deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality may have resulted in violations of human rights where people, by today’s standards, were deemed ‘abnormal’.
• It could be argued that diagnoses upon these grounds may have been used as a form of social control over minority groups as a means to exclude those who do not conform.

Question 3

3. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE TWO OR MORE DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY

(Context?)

Answer 3

• How far an individual deviates from a particular social norm is mediated by the severity of their ‘behaviour’ and the context.
• For example, when someone breaks a social norm once this may not be deviant behaviour, but persistent repetition of such behaviour could be evidence of psychological disturbance.
• Likewise, someone walking topless on a beach would be considered normal but adopting the same attire for the office would be viewed as abnormal and possibly an indication of an underlying psychological problem.
• As a consequence, this definition fails to offer a complete explanation in its own right, since different conclusions are reached in different situations and contexts

Question 4

4. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE TWO OR MORE DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY

(FFA)

Answer 4

• According to the Failure to Function Adequately (FFA) definition, a person is considered abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life and live independently in society.
• Furthermore, to be classified as abnormal, a person’s behaviour should cause personal suffering and distress because of their failure to cope
• However, they may also cause distress or discomfort to other people who observe their behaviour.
• For example, someone who is suffering from depression may struggle to get out bed in the morning or they may find it difficult to communicate with their family and friends.
• Consequently they would be considered abnormal as their depression is causing an inability to cope with the demands of everyday life (going to work), whilst their behaviour is also causing distress and discomfort to relatives.

Question 5

5. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE TWO OR MORE DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY

(Limitation of failure to function adequately?)

Answer 5

• One weakness of the FFA definition stems from individual differences.
• For example, one person with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) may exhibit excessive rituals that prevent them from functioning adequately, as they constantly miss work; whereas another person may suffer from the same excessive rituals, but find time to complete their rituals and always attend work on time.
• Therefore, despite the same psychological and behavioural symptoms, each person would be diagnosed differently according to this definition, thus questioning the validity of this definition.
• This issue exemplifies the problem of taking a nomothetic approach in psychology.
• Definitions of abnormality typically take a nomothetic approach and try to identify a list of factors, or symptoms, that can be used to diagnose abnormal behaviour
• However, some psychologists, in particular Humanistic psychologists, would argue that this approach ignores the essence of being human (e.g. individual differences) and therefore an idiographic approach to defining abnormality might be more appropriate

Question 6

1. DISCUSS DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH AND FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY AS TWO DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY. REFER TO RAYMOND IN YOUR ANSWER

Answer 6

• According to the Failure to Function Adequately (FFA definition, a person is considered abnormal if they are unable work to cope with the demands of everyday life (e.g. social or and live independently in society.
• Furthermore, to be classified as abnormal, a person’s behaviour should cause personal suffering and distress because of their failure to cope.
• However, they may also cause distress or discomfort to other people who observe their behaviour.
• Therefore according to this definition, Raymond could be considered abnormal because his symptoms are causing an inability to cope with everyday life as he is finding it difficult to ‘complete his homework.
• Furthermore, Raymond’s symptoms are also causing distress or discomforted, as ‘his teachers and parents’ have noticed his

Question 7

2. DISCUSS DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH AND FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY AS TWO DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY. REFER TO RAYMOND IN YOUR ANSWER

Answer 7

• One strength of the FFA definition is that is takes into account the subjective personal experiences of people like Raymond.
• This definition considers the thoughts and feelings of Raymond and the issues he is facing and does not simply make a judgement based on a pre-defined list of symptoms
• This suggests that the FFA definition is a useful tool for assessing psychopathological behaviour as it takes into account the effect of a person’s symptoms of their everyday life

Question 8

3. DISCUSS DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH AND FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY AS TWO DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY. REFER TO RAYMOND IN YOUR ANSWER

Answer 8

• However, one weakness of the FFA definition is the issue of individual differences.
• For example, one person who hears voices may be unable to function adequately, whereas another person may suffer from the same symptoms, but function perfectly well.
• Therefore, despite the same psychological and behavioural symptoms, each person would be diagnosed differently according to this definition, thus questioning the validity of this definition.

Question 9

4. DISCUSS DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH AND FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY AS TWO DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY. REFER TO RAYMOND IN YOUR ANSWER

(Jahoda)

Answer 9

• Jahoda (1958) took a different approach to defining abnormality, suggesting that abnormal behaviour should be defined by the absence of particular, ideal characteristics.
• In other words, behaviours which move away, or deviate, from ideal mental health. Jahoda outlined a series of principle including: having an accurate view of reality; being able to integrate and resist stress; and being able to master your environment including love, friendships, work and leisure time.
• Therefore, if an individual does not demonstrate one these criteria, they would be classified as abnormal according to this definition.
• It could be argued that Raymond does not have an accurate view of reality as he is hearing voices which are not present.
• Furthermore, he seems to be unable to res stress as his parents and teachers have noted that he is anxious, and he is unable to master the environment, in particular his school work, as his symptoms are preventing him from completing his homework.
• Consequently, Raymond Would be seen as abnormal, according to this definition

Question 10

5. DISCUSS DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH AND FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY AS TWO DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY. REFER TO RAYMOND IN YOUR ANSWER

(Strength of Jahodas study?)

Answer 10

• One strength of Jahoda’s definition is that it takes a positive and holistic view.
• Firstly, the definition focuses on positive and desirable behaviours, rather than considering just negative and undesirable behaviour.
• Secondly, the definition considers the whole person, considering a multitude of factors that can affect their health and well-being.
• Therefore, a strength of the deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality is that it is comprehensive, covering a broad range of criteria.

Question 11

6. DISCUSS DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH AND FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY AS TWO DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY. REFER TO RAYMOND IN YOUR ANSWER

(Limitations of jahoda?)

Answer 11

• However, one weakness of the deviation from ideal mental health definition is the unrealistic criteria proposed by Jahoda.
• There are times when everyone will experience stress and negativity, for example, when grieving following the (death of a loved one.
• However, according to this definition, these people would be classified as abnormal, irrespective of the circumstances which are outside their control.
• With the high standards set by these criteria, how many need to be absent for diagnosis to occur needs to be questioned

Question 12

1. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH TO EXPLAINING PHOBIAS

(Two process model?)

Answer 12

• The two process model suggests that phobias are acquired through classical conditioning: learning by association, and are maintained through operant conditioning: negative reinforcement.
• According to the theory of classical conditioning, humans can learn to fear an object or stimulus such as a dog, by forming an association between the object and something which triggers a fear response, for example being bitten.
• In this example, the dog, which was originally a neutral stimulus, becomes associated with being bitten, which is an unconditioned stimulus.
• This pairing leads to the dog becoming a conditioned stimulus, which when encountered will elicit fear, a condition response.

Question 13

2. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH TO EXPLAINING PHOBIAS

(Operant conditioning?)

Answer 13

• According to operant conditioning, phobias are negatively reinforced where a behaviour is strengthened, because an unpleasant consequence is removed.
• For example, if a person with a dog phobia sees one whilst out walking, they might avoid it by crossing the road.
• This reduces the person’s anxiety and so negatively reinforces their behaviour, making the person more likely to continue avoiding dogs, thus maintaining their phobia.

Question 14

3. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH TO EXPLAINING PHOBIAS

Supported by research/ Watson + Raynor?

Answer 14

• The behaviourist explanation of phobias is supported by research evidence.
• Watson & Raynor (1920) demonstrated the process of classical conditioning in the formation of a phobia in Little Albert, who was conditioned to fear white rats.
• This supports the idea that classical conditioning is involved in acquiring phobias in humans and that generalisation can occur to other phobic stimuli.
• However, since this was a case study, it is difficult to generalise the findings to other children or even adults due to the unique nature of the investigation

Question 15

4. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH TO EXPLAINING PHOBIAS

(Strength of the behavioural explanation= application to theraphy?)

Answer 15

• A strength of the behaviourist explanation is its application to therapy.
• These ideas have been used to develop treatments including systematic desensitisation and flooding. Systematic desensitisation helps people to unlearn their fears, using the principles of classical conditioning, while flooding prevents eople from avoiding their phobias and stops the negati reinforcement from taking place.
• These therapies have been successfully used to treat people with phobias, supporting the effectiveness of the behaviourist explanation in helping people to overcome their phobias

Question 16

5. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH TO EXPLAINING PHOBIAS

(Ignores cognition?)

Answer 16

• The behaviourist explanation for phobias ignores the role of cognition: phobias may develop because of irrational thinking, not just learning.
• For example, sufferers of claustrophobia may think: ‘I am going to be trapped in this lift and suffocate’ which is an irrational thought that is not taken into consideration.
• Consequently, the behaviourist explanation for the development of phobias has been criticised for being environmentally reductionist, by reducing human behaviour to a simple stimulus-response association.
• Many psychologists, for example cognitive psychologists, would disagree with this explanation, as they argue that other cognitive factors (e.g. irrational thinking) also play an important role.
• Furthermore, the cognitive approach has also led to the development of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which is said to be more successful than behaviourist treatments

Question 17

6. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH TO EXPLAINING PHOBIAS

(Not complete? Evolution?)

Answer 17

• There is a claim that the behavioural approach may not provide a complete explanation of phobias.
• For example, Bounton (2007) highlights the fact that evolutionary factors could play a role in phobias, especially if the avoidance of a stimulus (e.g. snakes) could have caused pain or even death to our ancestors.
• Consequently, evolutionary psychologists suggest that some phobias are not learned but are in fact innate, as they acted as a survival mechanism for our ancestors.
• This is called biological preparedness (Seligman 1971) and casts doubt on the two-process model since it suggests that there is more involved than learning and that some phobias (e.g, snakes) are not learned, but are in fact innate.

Question 18

1. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH TO TREATING PHOBIAS

(Treating phobias with classical conditioning?)

Answer 18

• There are two behavioural therapies used to treat phobia systematic desensitisation and flooding.
• Systematic desensitisation uses counter-conditioning to help patients unlearn’ their phobias, by eliciting another response: relaxation instead of fear.
• A patient works with their therapist to create a fear hierarchy, ranking the phobic situation from least to most anxiety-inducing.
• The patient is also taught relaxation strategies, such as breathing techniques, to help them remain calm when exposed to their fear.
• Finally, the patient works through their fear hierarchy, starting at the bottom, while trying to remain relaxed at each stage
• Systematic desensitisation works on the assumption that two emotional states cannot exist at the same time, a theory known as reciprocal inhibition, and eventually relaxation will replace the fear

Question 19

2. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH TO TREATING PHOBIAS

Strength of SD?

Answer 19

• One strength of systematic desensitisation comes from research evidence that demonstrates its effectiveness. McGrath et al . ( 1990 ) found that 75 % of patients with phobias were successfully treated using systematic desensitisation.
• This was particularly true when using in vivo techniques in which the patient came into direct contact with the feared stimulus, rather than simply imagining (in vitro).
• This shows that systematic desensitisation is effective when treating specific phobias, especially when using in vivo techniques

Question 20

3. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH TO TREATING PHOBIAS

(Evolutionary?)

Answer 20

• However, systematic desensitisation is not effective in treating all phobias.
• Patients with phobias which have not developed through a personal experience (classical conditioning), such as a fear of snakes, are not effectively treated using systematic desensitisation.
• Some psychologists believe that certain phobias have an evolutionary survival benefit and are not the result of learning.
• This highlights a limitation of systematic desensitisation, which is ineffective in treating evolutionary-based phobias which have an innate basis

Question 21

4. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH TO TREATING PHOBIAS

(Flooding?)

Answer 21

• Flooding is a behavioural therapy which, rather than exposing a person to their phobic stimulus gradually, exposes the individual to the most anxiety-inducing stimulus immediatel
• With flooding, a person is unable to avoid (negatively reinforce) their phobia and through continuous exposure anxiety levels eventually decrease.
• Since the option of employing avoidant behaviour is removed, extinction will soon happen because anxiety is time limited, and as a result the fear will eventually subside.
• One issue with flooding is that it can be highly traumatic for patients since it purposefully elicits a high level of anxiety Wolpe (1969) recalled a case with a patient becoming so intensely anxious that she required hospitalisation.
• Although flooding is not unethical as patients provide fully informed consent, many patients do not complete their treatment because the experience is too stressful.
• Therefore, flooding is sometimes a waste of time and money as not all patients engage in the treatment, which will result in the unsuccessful treatment of their phobias.

Question 22

5. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH TO TREATING PHOBIAS

(Symptoms substitutes?)

Answer 22

• An issue for behavioural therapies such as flooding and systematic desensitisation is symptom substitution.
• This means that although one phobia may be successfully removed through counter-conditioning, another may appear in its place.
• If symptoms are treated and removed, the underlying cause may remain and simply resurface under a new guise. Research in this area is mixed; however, such criticisms are heavily disputed by behaviourists who claim that behavioural treatments provide an ideal treatment for phobias.

Question 23

1. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE TWO BEHAVIOURAL TREATMENTS FOR PHOBIAS. REFER TO JACK AND JILLS CONVERSATION IN YOUR ANSWER

Answer 23

• There are two behavioural therapies used to treat phobias: systematic desensitisation and flooding.
• Systematic desensitisation uses counter-conditioning to help patients unlearn’ their phobias, by eliciting another response: relaxation instead of fear.
• Here, Jemimah would work with her therapist to create a fear hierarchy, ranking her phobia of water from the least to most anxiety-inducing situations.
• For example, her least feared situation might be looking at a picture of a swimming pool and her most feared might be falling into the deep end of a swimming pool.
• Jemimah would also be taught relaxation strategies, such as breathing techniques, to help her remain calm when exposed to her fear
• Finally, Jemimah would work through her fear hierarchy starting at the bottom, while trying to remain relaxed at each stage.
• Systematic desensitisation works on the assumption that two emotional states cannot exist at the same time, a theory known as reciprocal inhibition, and eventually relaxation will replace her fear

Question 24

2. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE TWO BEHAVIOURAL TREATMENTS FOR PHOBIAS. REFER TO JACK AND JILLS CONVERSATION IN YOUR ANSWER

Answer 24

• One strength of systematic desensitisation comes from research evidence that demonstrates its effectiveness.
• McGrath et al . ( 1990 ) found that 75 % of patients with phobias were successfully treated using systematic desensitisation.
• This was particularly true when using in vivo techniques in which the patient came into direct contact with the feared stimulus, rather than simply imagining (in vitro).
• This shows that systematic desensitisation is effective when treating specific phobias, especially when using in vivo techniques and therefore could be an ideal treatment for Jemimah

Question 25

3. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE TWO BEHAVIOURAL TREATMENTS FOR PHOBIAS. REFER TO JACK AND JILLS CONVERSATION IN YOUR ANSWER

Answer 25

• Jack, Jemimah’s father, is suggesting an in vivo form of systematic desensitisation, as he is putting forward a gradual, step-by-step approach to treat his daughter.
• For example the father has created a fear hierarchy starting with sitting in the car at the pool, until the girl calms down, followed by sitting in the viewing area, etc.
• Jack has also acknowledged that is important for his daughter to remain relaxed at each stage as she will only progress onto the next stage if she calms down.
• Based on research evidence (McGrath et al.) this is likely to be an effective treatment for Jeremiah to help her overcome her phobia of water.

Question 26

4. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE TWO BEHAVIOURAL TREATMENTS FOR PHOBIAS. REFER TO JACK AND JILLS CONVERSATION IN YOUR ANSWER

(Flooding?)

Answer 26

Flooding is a behavioural therapy which, rather than exposing a person to their phobic stimulus gradually, exposes the individual to the most anxiety-inducing stimulus immediately (e.g. throwing her in the swimming pool).
- With flooding Jemimah will be unable to avoid (negatively reinforce) her phobia and through continuous exposure to water, her anxiety levels will eventually decrease.
- Since the option of employing avoidant behaviour is removed, extinction will
soon happen because anxiety is time limited, and as a result, her fear of water will eventually subside.

Question 27

5. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE TWO BEHAVIOURAL TREATMENTS FOR PHOBIAS. REFER TO JACK AND JILLS CONVERSATION IN YOUR ANSWER

(Wolpe?)

Answer 27

• One issue with flooding is that it can be highly traumatic for patients since it purposefully elicits a high level of anxiety.
• Wolpe (1969) recalled a case with a patient becoming so intensely anxious that she required hospitalisation.
• Although it is not unethical as patients provide fully informed consent, many do not complete their treatment because the experience is too stressful.
• Therefore, initiating flooding is sometimes a waste of time and money if patients do not engage in the treatment, which will ultimately fail to treat patients in such cases

Question 28

6. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE TWO BEHAVIOURAL TREATMENTS FOR PHOBIAS. REFER TO JACK AND JILLS CONVERSATION IN YOUR ANSWER

Answer 28

• The mother is suggesting the use of flooding for her daughter as she wants to expose Jemimah to her phobia by placing he in an anxiety-inducing situation to cure her fear.
• However while flooding is not seen as unethical when patients provide informed consent, it would not be deemed as appropriate for an eight-year-old, who is unable to provide fully informed consent for herself

Question 29

1. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE COGNITIVE APPROACH TO EXPLAINING DEPRESSION

(Becks negative triad?)

Answer 29

• Cognitive theories for explaining depression include Beck’s Cognitive Triad and Ellis’s ABC Model.
• Beck claimed depression is caused by negative self-schemas and cognitive biases that maintain a cognitive (negative) triad: a negative view of ourselves, the future and the world around us
• According to Beck, depressed people possess negative self- schemas, caused by negative experiences in childhood, for example, criticism from parents.
• Furthermore, Beck found that depressed people are more likely to focus on the negative aspects of a situation, while ignoring the positives.
• This distorts information, a process known as cognitive bias, and includes overgeneralising.
• For example, ‘I’ve failed one test so I will fail ALL of my exams!’

Question 30

2. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE COGNITIVE APPROACH TO EXPLAINING DEPRESSION

(Ellis ABC model?)

Answer 30

• Ellis proposed the ABC three stage model, to explain how irrational thoughts can lead to depression.
• An activating event (A) occurs, for example, you pass a friend in the corridor at school and they ignore you, when you say ‘hello’.
• Your belief (B) is your interpretation, which could either be rational or irrational.
• According to Ellis, an irrational belief (e.g. my friend must hate me’) can lead to unhealthy emotional consequences (C), including depression.

Question 31

3. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE COGNITIVE APPROACH TO EXPLAINING DEPRESSION

(Application to therapy?)

Answer 31

• One strength of the cognitive explanation for depression is its application to therapy.
• Cognitive explanations have been used to develop effective treatments for depression, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), which was developed from Ellis’s ABC model.
• These therapies attempt to identify and challenge negative, irrational thoughts and have been successfully used to treat people with depression, providing further support to the cognitive explanation of depression.

Question 32

4. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE COGNITIVE APPROACH TO EXPLAINING DEPRESSION

(Doesn’t explain origins of irrational thoughts?)

Answer 32

• However, one weakness of the cognitive approach is that it does not explain the origins of irrational thoughts.
• Since most of the research in this area is correlational, psychologists are unable to determine if negative, irrational thoughts cause depression, or whether a person’s depression leads to a negative mindset.
• Consequently, it is possible that other factors, for example genes and neurotransmitters, are the cause of depression and the negative, irrational thoughts are the symptom of depression.

Question 33

5. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE COGNITIVE APPROACH TO EXPLAINING DEPRESSION

(Alternative biological explanation?)

Answer 33

• In addition, there are alternative explanations which suggest that depression is a biological condition, caused by genes and neurotransmitters.
• Research focused on the role of serotonin has found lower levels in patients with depression.
• In addition, drug therapies, including SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Re uptake Inhibitors) which increase the level of serotonin, are found to be effective in the treatment of depression, which provide further support for the role of neurotransmitters in the development of depression.
• This therefore casts doubt on the cognitive explanation as a sole cause of the disorder.

Question 34

6. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE COGNITIVE APPROACH TO EXPLAINING DEPRESSION

(Research evidence? / boury?)

Answer 34

There is research evidence which supports the cognitive explanation of depression.
- Boury et al. (2001) found that patients with depression were more likely to misinterpret information negatively (cognitive bias) and feel hopeless about their future (cognitive triad).
- Further to this, Bates et al. 1999) gave depressed patients negative automatic thought tatements to read and found that their symptoms became worse.
- These findings support different components of Beck’s theory and the idea that negative thinking is involved in depression.

Question 35

1. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE COGNITIVE APPROACH TO TREATING DEPRESSION

Answer 35

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) involves both cognitive and behavioural elements and typically starts with an initial assessment, in which the patient and therapist identify the patient’s problems.
• Thereafter, the patient and therapist agree on a set of goals, and a plan of action to achieve these goals while there are different forms of CBT (e.g. based on Bec and Ellis’s theories) the aim to identify the negative and irrational thoughts remains the same, despite the fact their approaches differ.
• Ellis developed his ABC model to include D (dispute) and E (effective).
• The idea here is that the therapist ill dispute the patient’s irrational beliefs, to replace their irrational beliefs with more effective beliefs and attitudes
• There are different types of dispute which can be used including: empirical dispute - where the therapist seeks vidence for a person’s thoughts: ‘Where is the evidence that your beliefs are true?’ Following a session, the therapist may set their patient homework.
• The idea is that the patient identifies their own irrational beliefs and then proves them wrong.
• As a result, their beliefs begin to change

Question 36

2. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE COGNITIVE APPROACH TO TREATING DEPRESSION

(Strength?/ March)

Answer 36

• One strength of cognitive behaviour therapy comes from research evidence which demonstrates its effectiveness in treating depression.
• Research by March et al. (2007) found that CBT was as effective as antidepressants in treating depression.
• The researchers examined 327 adolescents with a diagnosis of depression and looked at the effectiveness of CBT, antidepressants, and treatment with a combination of CBT and antidepressants . After 36 weeks , 81 % of the antidepressant group and 81 % of the CBT group had significantly improved, demonstrating the effectiveness of CBT in treating depression .
• However, 86 % of the CBT with antidepressant group had significantly improved.
• This suggests that a combination of both treatments may be more effective.
• While March et al. provide some support for cognitive treatments of depression, their research demonstrates that a combination of cognitive and biological treatments is more effective.
• This suggests that cognitive treatments and explanations do not provide a complete explanation of depression and other factors (name biological ones) should also be considered

Question 37

3. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE COGNITIVE APPROACH TO TREATING DEPRESSION

(Motivated?)

Answer 37

• One issue with CBT is that it requires motivation.
• Patients with severe depression may not engage with CBT, or even attend the sessions and therefore this treatment will be ineffective in treating these patients.
• Alternative treatment such as antidepressants, do not require the same level of motivation and may be more effective in these cases.
• This poses a problem for CBT, as CBT cannot always be used as the sole treatment for severely depressed patients, who often lack the motivation to attend therapy and to speak about their depression.

Question 38

4. OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE COGNITIVE APPROACH TO TREATING DEPRESSION

(Overemphasis?)

Answer 38

• CBT has been criticised for its overemphasis on the role of cognitions as the primary cause of depression.
• Some psychologists have criticised CBT for not considering other factors such as social circumstances which might contribute to a person’s depression.
• For example, a patient who is suffering from domestic violence or abuse does not need to change their negative/irrational beliefs but in fact needs to change their circumstances.
• Therefore, CBT would be negative/irrational beliefs, ineffective in treating these patients until their circumstances / have changed.