Evaluation Flashcards
what is
AO1
AO2
AO3
AO1 - knowledge and understanding
AO2 - linking back to the study
AO3 - evaluation
How do you structure a 16 mark question
para 1 - (AO1)definition, explain the definition and then example
para 2 - (AO3) PEEL
para 3 - (AO3) PEEL
repeat
Evaluate the deviation of social norms
- hindsight bias - social norms change overtime. This means some social groups have been discriminated against e.g. LGBTQ
- Cultural bias - tendency to judge people based on ones own culture e.g. DSM is westernised and comes from the USA
also hallucinations are acceptable in some cultures as its linked to ancestors - It identifies anti-social behaviour and allows us to identify dangerous and unlawful behaviour
Evaluate statistical infrequency
- specific cut off point
- quantitive data so easy to analyse
- cut off point is to specific between who qualifies as abnormal (e.g. people with 71 IQ miss out on support)
- Doesn’t distinguish between and unwanted or wanted abnormality e.g. high IQ
- Doesn’t account for statistically common disorders e.g. anxiety
Evaluate the failure to function adequately
- Sensible threshold to identify who needs help. its easy to see so know when you access professional help
- cultural bias - one way of life might be different to another
- Personal life styles - subjective because if you go travelling you wont have a stable job etc
- People can mask symptoms e.g. anxiety so people cannot get help
Evaluate Deviation from ideal mental health
- Subjective - How do you measure the criteria’s?
- unrealistic
- cultural bias - Reflects western norms - more collectivist cultures e.g. rural Japan think self-actualisation and independence from others is selfish
- Lacks objectivity
what are the positive and negative evaluations of the behaviourist explanation to phobias
- good practical application
- alternative explanation e.g. cognitive approach
-alternative explanation e.g. biological - Diathesis stress model
Evaluate the behaviourist explanation to phobias
- good practical application
P - good practical application
E - The 2 process model can provide convincing explanations of why people have phobias
E.g. - Many people who have phobias can remember a traumatic event where the phobias was acquired
L - This is a strength as it allows us to understand how to treat the disorder
e.g. systematic desensitisation and flooding
Evaluate the behaviourist explanation to phobias
P- alternative explanations (cognitive)
E- For example the behaviourist approach does not take into account the cognitive factors
E.g. - the cognitive approach suggests phobias may develop as a consequence of irrational thinking e.g. I might get in a lift and suffocate
L - this is a limitation because other treatments such as Cognitive behavioural therapy may be used alongside or as an alternative if the phobia stemmed from cognitive factors
Evaluate the behaviourist explanation to phobias
p- alternative explanations (biological)
E- Seligman (1970) argued phobias don’t have to be learnt as humans are genetically pre-programmed to form associations between life threatening stimuli and fear
E.g. - We naturally fear things that can cause us danger in our evolutionary past (spiders, heights etc) and not modern day appliances this is called biological preparedness
L- this is a limitation because it makes it difficult to affirm the effectiveness of the 2 way process and suggests its not as simple as conditioning
Evaluate the behaviourist explanation to phobias
P - diathesis stress model
E - the diathesis stress model proposes we must inherit a genetic vulnerability for mental disorders making people more vulnerable to phobias
E.g. - phobias aren’t always learnt following a traumatic event - not everyone who has been bit by a dog is afraid of dogs
L - this is a weakness of the behaviourist approach as it suggests that conditioning alone doesn’t cause phobias and genetics should also be taken into account
What can you include in the evaluation for flooding
positive and negative
strength = Cost-effective treatment for phobias
weaknesses = highly traumatic so has high attrition rates
- less effective for other types of phobias e.g. agoraphobia
- symptom substitution
How to evaluate flooding
p- cost effective treatment
Flooding is equally as effective as other treatments ad takes less time meaning it is cost-effective for healthcare providers who are underfunded and over stretched
Evaluate flooding
- highly traumatic
Hight attrition rates meaning it is a waste of time and patients don’t get to extinguish their phobia so also a waste of money
people can become traumatised and there phobia can become worse
A case where a patient became to anxious and had to be hospitalised
Evaluate flooding
w - less effective for other types of phobias
Flooding is less effective for phobias such a agoraphobia because some psychologists believe these phobias are caused by irrational thinking so more complex treatments are needed e.g. cognitive development therapy
evaluate flooding
W- symptom substitution
this means although one phobia may be successfully removed through counter conditioning another may appear in its place
e.g. removed fear of spides but now has a fear of being locked in a room
this research is mixed but heavily disputed by behaviourists
How would you evaluate systematic desensitisation
Effectiveness of treatment
not effective in treating all phobias
Favoured treatment in comparison to flooding
Evaluate systematic desensitisation
- Effectiveness of treatment
It was found that 75% of patients with phobias were successfully treated
Also in another study 42 patients were examined with arachnophobia and went through systematic desensitisation and was shown to be less fearful of the phobic stimulus than a control group (only learnt relaxation techniques).
Provides support that systematic desensitisation is an effective treatment long term
Evaluate systematic desensitisation
- Not effective in treating all phobias
Patients who’s phobias are not developed from personal experience (classical conditioning) e.g. snakes are not effectively treated by systematic desensitisation
some psychologists believe some phobias are evolutionary (biological approach) and not a result of learning
limitation aa it shows it is ineffective in treating phobias with an evolutionary/innate bases
Evaluate systematic desensitisation
- favoured in comparison to flooding
It is more ethical in nature and patients say they prefer it as it doesn’t cause the same levels of distress when facing the feared stimulus
low attrition rates
Relaxation techniques can be a positive and pleasant experience
What could you use the evaluate the cognitive approach to explaining depression
- The role of irrational thinking is supported by research
- Successfully applied in therapy (CBT)
- Blames the client rather than situational factors
- Alternative explanations - Biological approach
Evaluate the cognitive approach to explaining depression
- Blames the client rather than situational factors
Gives the client an active role to change and a role in their treatment empowering them to change
However it will overlook situational factors (e.g. grief/ divorce) which may be reasonable situations which may contribute to depression .
Also blaming the client is sensitive producing low self esteem and can make negative schema
Evaluate the cognitive approach to explaining depression
- Alternative explanations such as the Biological approach
Can be explained in terms of genetic factors and neurotransmitters
- The SERT gene (associated with low levels of serotonin) is X10 more likely to be found in a depressed person
- Means other factors can take into account and so the diathesis stress model could be taken into account as a better approach creating a larger range of treatments (Drugs)
What can you use to evaluate Cognitive treatments (CBT) to depression
+ Evidence for effectiveness
- Suitability for diverse clients
- Relapse rates
+ - client preference
How would you evaluate the cognitive treatment (CBT) of depression
+ evidence for effectiveness
Large body of evidence of the effectiveness of CBT
- March et al compared CBT to antidepressants in 327 depressed adolescents. After 36 weeks
81% - CBT
81% - antidepressants
86% - Both
improved
This Shows CBT is just as effective as drugs even more so alongside them so should be seen as a first option
How would you evaluate the cognitive treatment (CBT) of depression
- Suitability for diverse clients
Only can be used for a specific range of people as lack of effectiveness in the severely depressed and people wilt learning difficulties
- severely depressed wont have the concentration or motivation to complete CBT e.g. not want to do homework, behavioural activation etc
- Hard cognitive load makes it hard for people with learning difficulties to access
How would you evaluate the cognitive treatment (CBT) of depression
- Relapse rates
High relapse rates showing it may not be long term effective
- one study shows out of 439 clients 42% relapsed after 6 months and 56% after a year
- could be due to ending 1-1 sessions and no longer doing homework since there’s no checking/ motivation
Shows may have to be repeated periodically
How would you evaluate the cognitive treatment (CBT) of depression
+ - client preference
It is shown when used in the appropriate clients its highly effective
However not all clients want to explore the origins of there depression e.g. trauma victims and just want their symptoms gone quickly
Anti-depressants would be a better fit for these people.
