P1 - Psychopathology - Key studies & theories

Question 1

Explain Jahoda’s theory of ideal mental health

Answer 1

Developed the characteristics of ideal mental health, including high self-esteem and self-actualisation

Question 2

Explain Rosenhan and Seligman defintion of abnormality

Answer 2

Characteristics/ signs a person isn’t coping; observer discomfort, personal distress, maladaptive behaviour
Failure to function adequately

Question 3

Explain Mower’s theory of Phobias

Answer 3

Came up with the two-way process in explaining phobias, involving both classical conditioning for phobia initiation and operant conditioning for phobia maintenance.
Explains phobias

Question 4

Explain Watson and Rayner’s Study into phobias

Answer 4

Little Albert study – conditioned to fear a rat
Supports behavioural explanations

Question 5

Explain Choy et al research into phobias

Answer 5

Compared treatments for phobias. Systematic and flooding both effective, but flooding slightly better.
Supports behavioural treatments are effective.

Question 6

Explain Gilroy et al research into Phobias

Answer 6

Tested systematic desensitisation – three sessions, followed up three and 33 months later. Effective.
Systematic desensitisation is effective

Question 7

Explain Beck’s theory of deppression

Answer 7

Developed the Negative Triad theory of depression, which states that sufferers have a negative view of themselves, the world and the future.
Explains depression

Question 8

Explain ellis’s theory of deppression

Answer 8

Developed the ABC model for explaining depression, with A = activating event, B = belief about that event, and C = the consequence of that belief.
Explains depression

Question 9

Explain March et al’s research into depression

Answer 9

Compared the efficacy of CBT, antidepressants, and a combination. CBT and antidepressants both had an 81% success rate, whilst a combination had 86% success.
Supports CBT but also SSRIs

Question 10

Explain Elkin’s research into depression

Answer 10

Found that CBT was significantly less effective for people who have high levels of irrational beliefs
Contradicts CBT as a treatment for everyone

Question 11

Explain Nestadt research into OCD

Answer 11

Found that those who were first-degree relatives of sufferers of OCD were 5x more likely to develop the condition than the general population
Shows genetic influence for OCD

Question 12

Explain Soomro research into OCD

Answer 12

Reviewed 17 studies and found that SSRIs were more effective (70% success) than a placebo at reducing symptoms after 3-months
Supports neural explanation and SSRIs as a treatment for OCD