abnormality

Question 1

Definition 1: deviation from social norms

Answer 1

All societies have norms or standards, these are appropriate behaviour patterns However if someone continuously acts differently to these norms you may be considered “abnormal”.

Question 2

Definition 1: deviation from social norms limitations

Answer 2

societies moral standards are era dependent, bound by culture, most individuals have behaved in ways society disapproves of, there’s no fixed definition of abnormal behaviour.

Question 3

definition 2: A failure to function adequately

Answer 3

Rosenhan & Seligman argue If someones mood, behaviour or thinking seriously effects their:
-well being
-safety of themselves or others
then they are abnormal.

Question 4

definition 2: A failure to function adequately strengths

Answer 4

It’s the only definition that looks at whether people should seek help- this is good because if applied, people should seek help and be able to get better.

Question 5

definition 2: A failure to function adequately limitations

Answer 5

The definition is a judgement from others as they’ll be seen as mentally ill, most of the psychiatrists are middle class males, it’s unclear and there’s no clear cut off point between normal and abnormal, no cause and effect-the inability to cope could be the cause of the mental disorder rather than the other way round.

Question 6

definition 3: A deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 6

Jahoda said these criteria’s make you normal:
-POSITIVE SELF ATTITUDE-high self esteem and personal identity
-SELF ACTUALISATION- developing to your full capabilities
-INTEGRATION- being able to cope with stressful situations
-AUTONOMY-being independent and able to look after yourself
-ACCURATE PERCEPTION OF REALITY- seeing life like it really is and not someone else’s perspective of it.
-MASTERY OF THE ENVIROMENT- being able to adjust to new environments.
Jahoda said is you lack any of these you’re abnormal.

Question 7

definition 3: A deviation from ideal mental health limitations

Answer 7

Very demanding criteria, cultural realism- most of the criteria only applies to western people but not other cultures, can’t be applied to children as they aren’t fully independent, it’s too idealistic and the standards are too high so most people are likely to fall short. Ethnocentric: Most definitions of psychological abnormality are devised by white, middle class men.

Question 8

biological model

Answer 8

Sees mental disorders as caused by abnormal processes such as genetic and biomedical factors- argues abnormality is a disease.

Question 9

biological model key features

Answer 9

It’s believed that all mental disorders will have an underlying cause as they are all related to the physical structure of the brain.

Question 10

how does the biological model approach abnormality

Answer 10

the same way that you approach physical illness-

• classify the disorder as a recognized symptom by identifying the signs and symptoms.
• identify the underlying cause.
• Prescribe an appropriate treatment/therapy.

Question 11

biological model- assumptions

Answer 11

BING

• BRAIN DAMAGE- once this happens there is little that can be done to stop it.
• INFECTION- Can give rise to mental illness, e.g flu can cause schizophrenia
• NEUROANATOMY- Neurotransmitters are out of balance in nervous systems of people with psychological disorders.
• GENES- Some people may be at genetic risk of developing a mental disorder- to investigate this researchers carry out family, twin and adoption studies.

Question 12

biological model- strengths

Answer 12

Scientific- A lot of research has been carried out that has increased our understanding of it- McGriffin et al on concordance rates in MZ and DZ twins. N
No blame- Implies the person is not responsible for their abnormality so they won’t punish themselves.

Question 13

biological model- weaknesses

Answer 13

Passive- encourages people to be passive patients and hand over their recovery to professionals, Reductionist- It’s more lively that disorders are caused by leaner patterns of behaviour, experiences and biological factors. suggesting there’s always a cure can lead to incorrect diagnosis and wrong treatment- can’t explain phobias. Stigma- the assumption mentally ill people are different can lead to labelling and prejudice.

Question 14

Biological treatments for abnormality- Drugs

Answer 14

Anti depressant- full title: Monoamine-oxidise inhibitors, they influence the serotonin by increasing their availability by blocking the enzymes action that breaks them down- improves mood.
Anti psychotic drugs- phenothiazine’s treat schizophrenia by reducing dopamine by blocking the D2 receptor through it- this helps reduce hallucinations and delusions.

Question 15

Biological treatments for abnormality- Drugs strength

Answer 15

effective in relieving mental disorder symptoms

Question 16

Biological treatments for abnormality- Drugs limitations

Answer 16

it could be a placebo effect, side effects, they treat the symptoms and not the cause- Ethics- right to refuse?

Question 17

Biological treatments for abnormality- ECT

Answer 17

Patient lies on a bed and is given an aesthetic and a muscle relaxant. A current is passed through their brain (the non-dominant hemisphere) through the use of electrodes- it’s unclear why it works. It normally treats schizophrenia and depression.

Question 18

Biological treatments for abnormality- ECT- Johnstone

Answer 18

Found in 1999 over 11,000 patients in England and wales were given ETC- 2/3 were women

Question 19

Biological treatments for abnormality- ECT strengths

Answer 19

Efficiency- quick compared to drugs
Ethics- Mental health act states ECT is only prohibited if the patient is able to accept it and it can’t be treated on 16 and 17 year olds.

Question 20

Biological treatments for abnormality- ECT weaknesses

Answer 20

It’s unclear how it works, It has side effects-bone fractures and memory loss, Ethics- it was used to punish and control patients in mental hospitals.

Question 21

behavioural model experiment

Answer 21

Watson and Rayner- 11 yr old boy participant, white rabbit, white rat and cotton wool didn’t scare him. Striking a 4 ft steel bar with a hammer scared him. Put the 2 together and struck the bar whenever he tried to touch the rat- scared him, he was now scared of all the objects-generalisation. It shows that phobias can be the result of classical conditioning and can lead to

Question 22

behavioural model

Answer 22

It claims abnormal behaviour is learned through past experiences- classical conditioning

Question 23

behavioural model- classical conditioning

Answer 23

A stimulus results in a physiological reaction in an individual, the event and reaction are forged into an association- phobias can develop this way for example a fear of heights could stem from someone climbing to the top of a building and experiencing nausea when looking down.

Question 24

behavioural model assumptions

Answer 24

BULS:
-BEHAVIOUR- It assumes the mind is an unnecessary concept and only observable behaviour is important
-UNDERSTANDING- It assumes that if we can learn behaviour we can also unlearn it.
–LEARNING- all behaviour is learned through classical and operant conditioning.
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY- Behaviour might be learned via observing and imitating other people, especially role models.

Question 25

behavioural model- operant conditioning

Answer 25

Skinner explained how our behaviour is influenced by the consequences of our actions. We learn at an early age which of out actions are rewarded and which are punished. So the more rewarded something is, the more likely it will be repeated.

Question 26

behavioural model strengths

Answer 26

It’s been tested in a lab situation, behavioural therapies can be successful, especially with phobias and the approach deals with the present rather than delving into the past.

Question 27

behavioural model weaknesses

Answer 27

It doesn’t take free will or personality into account, it underestimates the contribution of society and much of it’s principles have been tested on animals so it may not be applicable to humans.

Question 28

behavioural model treatments-systematic desensitisation

Answer 28

uses reverse conditioning and aims to replace a maladaptive response through relaxing the patient through muscle relaxation, creating a hierarchy of anxiety provoking situations in which the individual goes through each one and ends when the client completes them and is desensitised. It works because of reverse conditioning and positive reinforcement.

Question 29

behavioural model treatments-systematic desensitisation strengths

Answer 29

• Emmelkamp shows that it reduces anxiety

- There’s little evidence to support it’s criticism.

Question 30

behavioural model treatments-systematic desensitisation weaknesses

Answer 30

It depends on the ability to imagine which not everyone can do, there are quicker alternatives like flooding, and some psychiatrists argue that it will create another phobia if it works.

Question 31

behavioural model treatments-Aversion theory

Answer 31

Uses classical conditioning to get rid of something by pairing it with unpleasant consequences so they are associated together - alcohol, emetic, vomit.

Question 32

behavioural model treatments-Aversion theory strengths

Answer 32

It is supported by some studies like Baker and Brandon, and it offers a window of opportunity when other more appropriate behaviours are learned.

Question 33

behavioural model treatments-Aversion theory weaknesses

Answer 33

Ethics- even when consent is given participants can’t always anticipate what will happen- it can inflict pain.

Question 34

cognitive model assumptions

Answer 34

Assumes abnormality is caused by faulty thinking and attitudes, the issue is not the problem itself but the way you think about it, e.g over generalisations- a conclusion based on one event (failed test-failed life) or magnifying failures and minimizing success.It assumes an individual is in control and abnormality is faulty control and a change in thinking patterns will lead to a change in behaviour.

Question 35

cognitive model strengths

Answer 35

Doesn’t delve into the past and focuses on the individuals current thoughts, it emphasises internal factors, and it is very influential as it is favoured in many fields of psychology.

Question 36

cognitive model weaknesses

Answer 36

Unscientific as some thoughts can’t be observed, it ignores biological influences on behaviour, there’s no cause and effect (irrational beliefs could cause it) and it suggests blame will be put on the individual.

Question 37

cognitive model treatments CBT

Answer 37

It’s aim is to encourage clients to examine their beliefs and unhappiness and replace their negative thoughts with positive ones- there’s a cognitive and behavioural part to this. The cognitive part involves allowing clients to become aware of their negative thoughts that are causing them to become un well, the behavioural part involves checking these negative thoughts in reality so the clients can realise they were thinking faulty so they can change.

Question 38

what types of abnormal behaviour is CBT suitable for

Answer 38

Phobias, anxiety disorders, depression and OCD.

Question 39

cognitive model treatments CBT-Beck

Answer 39

To deal with depression clients become aware of the situation where they make negative assumptions, these are then challenged so the client eventually accepts the previous thinking was unrealistic- people weren’t avoiding her.

Question 40

cognitive model treatments REBT- Ellis

Answer 40

Using the ABC model (activation, beliefs, consequences) clients learn ways of curing themselves by setting new goals that they can incorporate in everyday life.

Question 41

cognitive model treatments CBT combined with drugs

Answer 41

Fava et al shows that CBT can reduce relapse rates when following drug treatment- just drugs-80% relapse rate, drugs and CBT- 25% relapse rate

Question 42

cognitive model treatments CBT strengths

Answer 42

It is popular and diverse and are becoming the most widely used therapy by the National health service. research backs it up-Fava

Question 43

cognitive model treatments CBT weaknesses

Answer 43

Doesn’t address underlying causes and clients can get dependent on their therapist - the psychiatrist holds all the power to make the client better.

Question 44

psychodynamic model

Answer 44

developed by Freud and argues that mental illness is driven by unsolved unconscious conflicts in childhood-
has 3 parts to it: the structure of personality, stages of psychosexual development, defence mechanism.

Question 45

psychodynamic model- structure of personality

Answer 45

• The id: impulsive part concerned with survival, it works on the pleasure principle in seeking pleasure and avoiding pain and is unconscious.
• The ego: Operates according to the reality principle, tries to balance the demand of the id with what is possible, it’s the rational and logical part of personality. It also attempts to balance the demands of the id and superego by defence mechanisms
• The superego: operates according to the morality principle and is the part of the unconscious mind which acts as society or a parental figure.

Question 46

psychodynamic model- stages of development

Answer 46

Freud called these the psychosexual stages:
ORAL STAGE (0-1 years) the mouth is the primary focus for pleasure-can lead to smoking, nail biting or over eating
ANAL STAGE (1-3 years) the anus is the primary focus of pleasure through excreting- successful potty training helps complete this stage.
PUBLIC STAGE (3-6 years)- genitals are PFoP, children show an interest in their parents genitals, boys have an Oedipus complex and girls have an Electra complex.
LATENCY STAGE (6yrs- puberty) -Children focus on social activities rather than physical.
GENITAL STAGE (puberty onwards) focused on developing relationships with opposite sex.

Question 47

psychodynamic model-defence mechanisms

Answer 47

These are unconscious mental processes which are triggered as a response to anxiety, they protect the individual from stressful situations, e.g repression is facing disturbing events into the unconscious mind, or displacement is taking out an emotional response from one object to a safer one (kicking a chair).

Question 48

psychodynamic model assumptions

Answer 48

CUPE
CHILDHOOD- Freud believes the origin of mental disorders live in unsolved unconscious conflicts in childhood.
UNCONCIOUS- Although the unconscious mind is not accessible, it plays a major role in determining behaviour.
PERSONALITY- conflicts between id, ego and superego create anxiety, the ego has to protect itself through defence mechanisms.
EARLY EXPIRIENCES- In childhood, the ego is not developed enough to deal with traumas and therefore, they are not repressed.

Question 49

psychodynamic model strengths

Answer 49

It’s influential as it’s forms of treatment are still used today, and it considers psychological factors.

Question 50

psychodynamic model disadvantages

Answer 50

Difficult to prove scientifically, how do we know the structure exists, fails to consider current adult difficulties someone may be facing, it suggests we have limited conscious involvement with our own development.

Question 51

psychodynamic model treatments- psychoanalysis - Dream analysis

Answer 51

Freud believed that repressed memories and impulses appeared in dreams in disguised form.

Question 52

psychodynamic model treatments- psychoanalysis - free association

Answer 52

Clients are encouraged to let their thoughts run and say whatever comes to their mind without censorship, the analyst then pieces together these thoughts and interprets them which leads to memories being brought to conscious awareness.

Question 53

psychodynamic model treatments- psychoanalysis - transference

Answer 53

Client transfers onto analyst, the analyst is associated with the characteristics of other people that the client has repressed feelings towards, then they direct these feelings towards analyst, if repeated the feelings slowly disappear.

Question 54

psychodynamic model treatments- psychoanalysis aims

Answer 54

Bring repressed impulses and memories into conscious awareness, facilitate insight into the conflicts and anxieties that are the underlying causes of abnormal behaviour and cure neurotic symptoms, e.g phobias.

Question 55

psychodynamic model treatments- psychoanalysis strength

Answer 55

Bergin found it worked 83% of the time.

Question 56

psychodynamic model treatments- psychoanalysis weaknesses

Answer 56

time consuming, expensive, only suitable for certain types of disorders e.g anxiety but not schizophrenia, difficult to evaluate it’s effectiveness, Low ethics as therapist has all the power and might abuse it and behaviourists say it’s better to change the problem rather than delving into the past.