Psycho

Question 1

How may flooding be used to treat a phobia? (3)

Answer 1

immediate/direct/full exposure
prevention of avoidance
until they are calm

Question 2

How may systematic desensitization be used to treat a phobia? (3)

Answer 2

• relaxation training
• anxiety hierarchy
• gradual exposure to the anxiety hierarchy

Question 3

Why is systematic desensitization better than flooding?(2)

Answer 3

less traumatic- more people will complete it

low attrition rate- slow paced relaxation allows respite

Question 4

Define obsessions (1)

Answer 4

obsessions are intrusive/recurring/unwanted thoughts.

Question 5

Define compulsions (1)

Answer 5

compulsions are repetitive behaviours/acts

Question 6

2 ways the biological approach explains OCD? (4)

Answer 6

Genetic explanations: inherited gene, COMT, SERT, family studies indicate a high percentage of first degree relatives have it too
Neural explanations: The basal ganglia circuit out of control, abnormal functioning of the
parahippocampal gyrus which regulates negative emotions, low levels of neurotransmitters, eg serotonin - removed too quickly before impulses have passed.

Question 7

4 definitions of abnormality?

Answer 7

statistical deviation
deviation from social norms
failure to function adequately
deviation from ideal mental health

Question 8

1 strength 1 limitation of statistical infrequency definition of abnormality?

Answer 8

This definition can provide an objective way, based on data, to define abnormality
fails to recognize the desirability of the particular behavior (e.g. high IQ isn’t bad)

Question 9

1 strength 1 limitation of deviation from social norms definition of abnormality

Answer 9

Takes into account the desirability of the behaviour

Cultural relativism- whats normal in one may not be in another

Question 10

1 strength 1 limitation of failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?

Answer 10

Recognizes the subjective experiences of the individual

Cultural relativism- whats normal functioning in one culture may not be in another

Question 11

1 strength 1 limitation of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 11

Positive- focuses on the positives and whats desirable
Very few people would live up to all 6 of Jahoda’s categories + cultural relativism- based on western idea of mental health

Question 12

Behavioural, cognitive, and emotional characteristics of phobias.(3)

Answer 12

Crying, screaming, freezing
Irrational beliefs in relation to the stimulus, cognitive distortions
Anxiety, embarassement

Question 13

distinguish between obsessions and compulsions(2)

Answer 13

obsessions are internal components because they are thoughts

compulsions are external components because they are behaviours