Lecture 1- Definitions, models, normality & abnormality

Question 1

If a person inherits a biological vulnerability for a mental disorder, does this mean that they are destined to develop one? Explain using the biopsychosocial model.

Answer 1

According to the biopsychosocial model, the psychological and social factors also play a part in the creation of a mental disorder. Psychological factors refer to one’s feelings, thoughts and perception while social factors refer to one’s social background and culture.

Question 2

What are the terminology of psychopathology?

Answer 2

Signs: Objective findings by clinicians (poor eye contact)
Symptoms: Subjective complaints by patients (low mood)
Syndromes: A combination of signs, symptoms and events that occur in a pattern which indicates the formation of a mental disorder (Bipolar)

Question 3

What are the 2 models that use the continuum idea?

Answer 3

Clinical Stages Model: Disease occurs in stages and this has a preventive focus (preventing the illness from happening and preventing the worsening of the illness), general interventions
Transdiagnostic model: shared aetiology and maintenance factors amongst the disorders, account for high comorbidity rates

Question 4

What are the 4 main criteria that is used to differentiate abnormality?

Answer 4

• Statistical Rarity
• Distress
• Dysfunction
• Deviance

Question 5

What are the models of psychology? Briefly describe & illustrate.

Answer 5

Biological paradigm
psychoanalytical paradigm
cognitive and social learning model
stress-vulnerability model
ABC model
Biopsychosocial model