P1: Psychopathology Flashcards
Define Statistical infrequencies in terms of abnormality
Abnormality: No. of times it is observed. Behaviour that is rarely seen = abnormal. E.g. Low/High IQ
Define Deviations from Social Norms
Abnormality is based on social context. (collective judgement) Depends on cultural, historical context E.g.Homosexuality, Anti-social disorder = abnormal ∵ deviate from social norms
Evaluate Definitions of Abnormality
+ Practical Application: All assessments of mental disorders involves comparison to statistical norms.
- Unusual sometimes= good:E.g.high IQ. No treatment needed ∴ cannot be used solely for diagnosis
- No benefit from abnormal labelling:e.g. Low IQ, but happy life= no need for diagnosis. Might cause negative effect from being labelled
- Culturally relative:E.g.Hearing voices= weird in UK, accepted in other cultures = Problem using another groups standards
- Possible abuse of social norms: Over reliance= abuse.e.g.black slaves trying to escape,Nymphomania(hyper sexuality). Purpose to maintain control over minority ethnic groups
Define failure to function adequately in terms of definitions of abnormality
Inability to cope with everyday living.e.g. Maintaining job. Signs of failure to cope: 1)No longer conform to interpersonal rules, 2)Experience personal distress, 3) behaviour= irrational or dangerous.e.g.
-Intellectual disability disorder= failure to function adequately n inability to cope with demands of everyday life = failure to function adequately.
Define deviation from ideal mental health
Changing the emphasis. Jahoda’s ideal mental health criteria: 1)no symptoms/distress 2) Rational/accurate deception of self 3) Self-actulise 4)Copes with stress 5) Realistc view of world 6)Good self-esteem/lack guilt 7)Independent 8)successful work, love, enjoys leisure
Evaluate definitions of abnormality (Failure to function adequately n deviation from ideal mental health)
- Requirement of patient’s perspective: Difficult to assess distress, but understands personal experiences are important
- Deviation vs failure to function:E.g.Extreme sports, may limit freedom if behaviour treated as failures
- Subjective judgement: Hard to tell if they are distressed.e.g. failure to diagnose
- Culturally relative: Johoda’s classification applies to western Euro cultures .e.g.self-actulisation= self-indulgent in collectivist culture
- Unrealistic standard for mental health:V few ppl will meet requirements ∴ abnormal, but it makes it clear how to improve
Define Phobia
Behavioural: Panic , Avoidance
Emotional: Anxiety , unreasonable emotional response
Cognitive: Selective attention, irrational beliefs
Define Depression
Behavioural: Self-harm/aggression, Low activity levels
Emotional: Low mood, anger
Cognitive: Poor concentration, dwell on negative
Define OCD:
Behavioural: Compulsions , avoidance
Emotional: Anxiety, Guilt/disgust
Cognitive: Obsessive thoughts, use coping strats
Explain what phobias are using the behavioural approach
learnt by classical conditioning, maintained by operant conditioning.UCS-UCR,NS+UCS-UCR,NS-CS,CS-CR
E.g. Little Albert Case, Fear of rats conditioning = generalised to other white furry objects
Evaluate the Behavioural Approach to explaining Phobias
+ Application: Good explanation power= use in therapy,
- Incomplete explanation: Biological drive(Instincts)?, innate fear for certain things, evolution prep ∴ more to acquiring phobias than conditioning
- Bad EXP ≠ phobia: Sometimes no phobia formed, maybe forms where vulnerability exists
- Cognition Ignored: Focused on behavioural side, cognition not adequately addressed
Explain the Behavioural Approach to treating Phobias
-Systematic Desensitisation(SD):
AIM: Counter-condition.CS paired with relaxation.
Reciprocal Inhibition: Cannot be afraid n relaxed at once. Creation of anxiety hierarchy. Relaxation techniques practiced at each stage.
-Flooding:
Immediate exposure to phobic stimulus (Bombarding)
Learns through Extinction, Without avoidance learns its harmless via exhaustion.
Informed consent involved
Evaluate Behavioural approaches to treating Phobias
+ SD effective: 42 patients followed up= long-lasting n effective, reduces anxiety.
+ SD seems acceptable: When given choice, SD preferred ∵less trauma. Reflected in low refusal rates n low attribution rates(Dropping out)
- Flooding is traumatic: ppl often unwilling to finish completely ∴ ineffective, waste time n money.
- Flooding less effective for some: Less effective for complex phobias.e.g.Social phobias ∵ cognitive aspect ∴ more benefit from Cognitive therapy ∵ take irrational thinking
Explain the cognitive approach to explain Depression
-Beck’s Cognitive theory of Depression:
Faulty info processing= some ppl more prone to depression.e.g.Black n white thinking
Depressed ppl have Negative schemas= interpret world negatively.
Negative triad: Negative views of SELF,WORLD,FUTURE
-Ellis’s ABC Model:
A-Activating Event: Arises from irrational thoughts, occurs from experiencing negative event
B-Beliefs: Negative events tigger irrational beliefs.
e.g. Musterbation belief we must always succeed
C-consequences: Emotional n behavioural consequences
e.g. Musterbation-> fail-> consequence= depression
Evaluate the cognitive approach to explaining Depression
+ Supporting Evidence: 65 preggo women tested for cognitive vulnerability/depression b4 n after birth, vulnerable= more likely to suffer post-natal depression ∴ cognition cane seen b4 depression develops
+ Practical evidence:Beck’s explanation forms basis of CBT. Negative triad, identified n challenged ∴ translates to successful therapy
- Explanation power: cannot explain all aspects of depression.e.g.extreme anger ∴ limited
-Partial Explanation: Ellis explains reactive depression. Cannot explain depression that arises without an obvious cause
Explain the Cognitive approach to treating depression
-CBT: work together, identify irrational/negative thoughts n challenge negative triad by patient taking active role. patient encouraged to test reality of beliefs, maybe also set homework= evidence of patients incorrect beliefs.
-Rational Emotional Behaviour Therapy(REBT): Extension of ABC model.
D-Dispute: challenge beliefs
E-Effect: effect of challenge
Empirical Argument: Evidence to support irrational belief?
Logical Argument: Negative thoughts actually follow facts?
Goal of treatment: Gradual decrease in avoidance n isolation, increase engagement in actives that can improve mood(exercise)- Behavioural Activation
Evaluate the Cognitive approach to treating depression
+ CBT effective: Lots of evidence= support CBT. As effective as medicine, helpful alongside medication ∴ case to make it first choice of treatment
- incompatibility with some cases of depression: severe= cannot motivate self ∴cannot do cognitive work. Must take meds until ready to start CBT.
- Success due to therapist-patient relation: Variation difference= small, Key factor= relation between therapist n patient determines success not a technique
- Overemphasis on cognition: Minimises importance of circumstance.e.g.poverty. CBT shifts focus to Cognition ∴ can demotivate ppl to change situation
Explain the Biological Approach to explaining OCD
GENETIC EXPLANATION
-Candidate Genes: Genetic Vulnerability. Serotonin n dopamine genes. Neurotransmitters have role in regulating mood. OCD is polygenetic, up to 230 different genes involved.
-Aetiologically heterogeneous:Different groups of genes cause OCD in ppl, not always the same group
NEURAL EXPLANATION
-Low serotonin= low mood (Neurotransmitter relies info from 1 Neuron to another) ∴ not normal.
-Impaired Frontal Lobes(responsible:logic n decisions):(some cases) linked to abnormal functioning.e.g.hoarding.
Some Evidence to suggest LEFT Parahippocampal gyrus association: Processing unpleasant emotions functioning abnormally
Evaluate the Biological Approach to explaining OCD
+ Research Support: Studies 68% identical twins(MZ) share OCD, 31%(DZ) twins do ∴ supports genetic influence on OCD
- Too many candidate genes identified: Each genetic variation increases risk of OCD by a fraction ∴ very little predictive value
+Neural support: Antidepressants work solely on serotonin= effective ∴ serotonin system involved in OCD, forms part of bio conditions.e.g. Parkinsons
- Co-Morbidity link: OCD n depression often occur together ∴ depression may cause disruption to serotonin system—–
Explain the Biological approach to treating OCD
DRUG THERAPY
AIM: to change levels of neurotransmitters.e.g.increase serotonin
SSRI: Prevents reabsorption n breaks down serotonin ∴ compensates Serotonin system. Requires 3-4months of daily use for impact.
Often used alongside CBT, Drugs deal with Emotional symptoms= so can better engage with CBT
ALT to SSRI: Tricyclics n SNRI
Tricyclics= same effect, more side effects (old version)
Used as a 2nd line of defence
Evaluate the Biological Approach to treating OCD
+ Effective: SSRI vs placebo= yield better results reduced symptoms for 70%ppl. Rest helped with other drugs or drugs+CBT
+ Cost-effective: Cheaper than CBT ∴ good for NHS. SSRI= non-disruptive to lives n require little effort ∵ no need to partake in psychological therapy
- Side effects: Possible severe side-effects.e.g.indigestion, irregular blood pressure ∴ reduced effectiveness n may deter usage
- Sometimes Unreliable: Controversy, Drug companies sponsor= biased results n facts ∴ suppress/report some findings to maximise profit
