Individual Differences - Treating Abnormality (Biological Therapies)

Question 1

What does the approach believe is the best way to treat disorders?

Answer 1

Through biological therapies since abnormal behaviour is caused by biological abnormalities.

Question 2

What are the three main biological therapies?

Answer 2

Drug therapy, Electro-convulsive therapy and psychosurgery.

Question 3

What assumption is drug therapy based on?

Answer 3

That chemical imbalance is at the root of the problem, and that is that imbalance can be rectified then the symptoms should disappear.

Question 4

What is an example of an Anti-anxiety drug and how does it work?

Answer 4

Benzodiazepines – have an overall calming effect by inhibiting nervous system, reducing brain activity and relaxing muscles. Increase activity of neurotransmitter GABA.

Question 5

What is an example of an Anti-depressant drug and how does it work?

Answer 5

MAOI’s and SSRI’s – improve mood by increasing availability of serotonin. MAOI’s block action of enzyme that breaks down serotonin.

Question 6

What is an example of an Anti-psychotic drug and how does it work?

Answer 6

Phenothiazine – alleviates symptoms such as hallucinations/delusions by blocking dopamine receptor sites, reducing activity of dopamine in the brain.

Question 7

Evaluate Drug Therapy.

Answer 7

1. Quickly and effectively reduce symptoms.
2. Drugs don’t really cure problem, any improvement due to placebo effect.
3. Have unpleasant side effects.
4. When drugs are stopped symptoms may reappear.
5. Ethical issues – if sectioned, can be forcibly medicated.

Question 8

What is ECT?

Answer 8

Technique which causes convulsions by running an electrical current though the brain. Designed to treat Schizophrenia, now used to treat depression.

Question 9

How is it carried out?

Answer 9

Patients given short-acting anaesthetics, muscle relaxants and breathe pure oxygen.
Electrodes placed on temple, on fixed to non-dominant hemisphere.
Delivers electrical current (70-130V) across brain for ½ second.
Aim to induce convulsions similar to epileptic seizure that last or 1 minute.
Brain activity should return to normal after.

Question 10

Evaluate ECT.

Answer 10

1. Effective because it quick. 60-70% of depressed show improvement, 60% become depressed again within a year.
2. ECT should only be used if anti-depressant drugs have no effect and person is risk to themselves.
3. Serious side effects in past, bone fractures and memory loss.
4. Ethical issues, used to be used to punish and control people, can only be given with patients consent, unless they’re in a life-threatening situation.