Psychopathology Flashcards
DofA) What is statistical infrequency?
If a behaviour is rare it is considered abnormal ∴ rare behaviour may be a sign or a mental disorder.
DofA) What is the evaluation of statistical infrequency?
✓- abnormality is measured objectively ∴ it’s reliable & people can get help
X- ignores desirability of behaviour (high IQ = rare but seen as advantage)
X- cut off points = arbitrary
DofA) What is deviation from social norms?
Norms are the accepted and expected behaviours ∴ behaviours that deviate are abnormal and could be a sign of mental health issues.
DofA) What is the evaluation of the deviations from social norms?
✓- can distinguish between desirable & undesirable behaviour (unlike statistical infrequency)
X- cultural relitivism, norms differ over time and place ∴ the definitions of abnormality change (homosexuality)
X- depends on the context & degree, not objective
DofA) What is failure to function adequately?
Behaviour becomes maladaptive it it interfered with peoples ability to live a normal life. If the behaviour causes personal distress to an individual or others it can prevent peoples ability to function adequately.
DofA) What is the evaluation of failure to function adequately?
✓- respects the individual as shows people can still keep jobs and relationships with mental illness
✓- can be measured by the WHODAS questionnaire ∴ reliable but not valid
X- cultural relativism, not universal as what is adequate in 1 culture may differ in others
X- whether ill depends on context and how family and employers cope rather than the actual behaviour
DofA) What is deviation from the ideal mental health criteria proposed by Marie Jahoda?
- positive view of self
-capable of personal growth
-autonomy
-mastery of environment
-resistance to stress
-accurate view of reality
(failure to meet criteria = abnormal)
DofA) What is the evaluation of the deviation from ideal mental health?
✓- focuses on positive features, pointing out how to improve without stigmatizing
X- many ‘normal’ people would fail to meet the criteria
X- ethnocentric, western bias
X- lacks objective measurement for criteria
What is a phobia?
An anxiety disorder with a strong, irrational & persistent fear of an object or situation. They can cause panic attacks/nausea/feeling faint & make it hard to concentrate. The criteria must have lasted at least 6 months and not be due to other disorders.
What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?
The phobic object or situation almost always causes fear/anxiety.
What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?
The object or situation is avoided.
What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?
Fear is recognised as out of proportion & not helped by rational argument.
How does classical conditioning explain phobias?
All behaviour is learned through association, the stimulus response model of Pavlov’s dogs explains how new beahaviours are learned.
How does operant conditioning explain phobias?
When behaviour is rewarded it is reinforced and ∴ repeated = (+ve) reinforcement. Unpleasant situations are avoided = (-ve) reinforcement. Skinner’s rats.
How does the 2-process model explain how phobias are created and reinforced?
Phobias are created by C.C (little Albert scared of noise, conditioned to associate it with rats) and maintained by O.P (Avoided noise, receiving (-ve) reinforcement.)
What is the evaluation of the behavioural explanation of phobias?
✓- vicarious reinforcement, learned to be scared of a buzzer by watching others (SLT)
✓- 60% w/ dog phobias had been bitten (C.C)
X- not 100% ∴ not a complete explanation
X- not everyone exposed to phobic stimulus gets phobia, genetic predisposition (diathis-stress model)
x- doesn’t explain evolutionary predisposition, once adaptive to fear certain things
X- ignores cognitive & biological factors
X-little Albert unethical & not repeated
How is systematic desensitisation (SD) used to treat phobias?
1- taught relaxation, can’t be anxious & relaxed
2- hierarchy of fear, each step given a higher score
3- gradual exposure, go up hierarchy = C.C, associate phobia w/ relaxed feeling
4- sees decreasing score = (+ve) reinforcement
5- phobia defeated
How is flooding used to treat phobias?
Extreme, immediate exposure for long enough until fear disappears, taught to associate fear w/ relaxation. fear eventually subsides as biological response doesn’t last long. Real = in vivo, virtual = in vitro
What is the evaluation of the behavioural approach to treating phobias?
✓- faster than psychoanalysis
✓- evidence that both worked, flooding = faster & in vivo = better than in vitro
X- only treats symptoms not causes ∴ may return
X- not as effective for evolutionary predispositions
X- requires high commitment & may cause trauma
What is depression?
A mood effective disorder, 5 or the criteria need to be displayed nearly every day for at least 2 weeks for a major depressive episode.
What are the emotional characteristics of depression?
Feeling sad/depressed & anhedonia (a loss of pleasure in usual activities.)
What are the behavioural characteristics of depression?
An increase or decrease in activity, fatigue & loss of energy, insomnia or hypersomnia & eating too much or too little.
What are the cognitive characteristics of depression?
Negative self-concept, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, self blame & suicidal thoughts.
How does Beck’s negative triad explain depression?
New information is processed in terms of (-ve) schemas in the LTM. 3 part model; self > future > world > self
