psychopathology Flashcards
What are the 4 definitions of abnormality?
-F2FA
-statistical infrequency
-deviation from social norms
-deviation from ideal mental health
Define statistical infrequency
Numerically unusual behaviour/characteristic
Give an example of statistical infrequency
IDD (intellectual disability disorder)
IQ below 70% (bottom 2% of people)
A03 of statistical infrequency = Real-world application
Useful in diagnosis (e.g. IDD)
Useful in assessment (e.g. BDI for depression)
A03 of statistical infrequency = unusual characteristics can be positive
-limitation
-unusual characteristics = both +ve & -ve
-some unusual characteristics = are not judged as abnormal e.g. high IQ
define deviation from social norms
When someone goes against/ behaves in a way that society does deem ‘normal’
explains what is meant by culture-specific norms
What is seem as ‘normal’ in one culture might be judged differently by another culture (e.g. homosexuality)
Give an example of deviation from social norms
antisocial personality disorder:
-impulsive
-aggressive
-irresponsible behaviour
A03 of deviation from social norms = real-world application
-strength
-useful for diagnosis of some disorders e.g Antisocial and schizotypal personality disorder
A03 of deviation from social norms = cultural & situational relativism
-limitation
-different standards = hard to make social judgements
-one cultural group labeling another using their standard’s alone
Define failure to function adequately
When someone is unable to cope with the demands of every day life
What psychologists are linked to F2FA ?
Rosenhan
Seligman
What did Rosenhan & Seligman suggest someone shows when they are failing?
-non-conformity to social rules
-personal distress
-severe distress
-danger to self/others
Give an example of F2FA
Intellectual disability disorder (IDD)
-F2F = part of diagnosis for IDD
-low IQ also
A03 of F2FA = Represents a threshold for help
-strength
-provides a way of identifying who needs professional help
A03 of F2FA = Discrimination & social control
-limitation
-may lead to people who live ‘non-standard’ lifestyles being judged as abnormal
Define deviation from ideal mental health
When someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health
Who came up with the criteria for ‘ideal mental health’ ?
Jahoda
What does ‘ideal mental health’ look like according to Jahoda?
-coping with stress
-rationality
-self-actualisation
-realistic world-view
A03 of deviation from ideal mental health = A comprehensive definition
-strength
-helps distinguish mental health from illness
-includes most reasons why people seek help
A03 of deviation from ideal mental health = May be culture-bound
-limitation
-some ideas = specific to western culture (e.g. self-actualisation)
-independence varies across cultures
Define what a phobia is
An irrational fear of an object/situation
What are behavioural characteristics?
Ways in which we act
What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?
-Avoidance
-Panic
-Endurance
What are emotional characteristics?
How we feel/our mood
What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?
-Fear
-Anxiety
-Emotional response = unreasonable
What are cognitive characteristics?
How we think
What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?
-Selective attention (SA)
-Irrational beliefs (IB)
-Cognitive distortions (CD)
What model is used in the behavioural approach to explain phobias?
The two-process model (2PM)
Who came up with the 2PM?
Mowrer
What two types of conditioning does the 2PM model use?
-classical conditioning
-operant conditioning
Relating to the 2PM, explain classical conditioning in terms of phobias
classical conditioning is about acquiring phobias
UCS = UCR
NS + UCS =UCR
CS = CR
What are the 3 parts to operant conditioning (2PM)?
-Positive reinforcement
-Negative reinforcement (avoiding -ve stimulus = maintain phobia)
-Punishment
Relating to the 2PM, explain operant conditioning in terms of phobias
operant conditioning means that phobias are maintained/continued
Who is the case study used in classical conditioning of phobias, of the 2PM?
Little Albert (9-Month-Old baby)
Explain how little Albert acquired the phobia of rats, using classical conditioning (2PM)
UCS (loud noise) = UCR (fear)
NS (rat) + UCS (loud noise) = UCR (fear)
CS (rat) = CR (fear)
Which 2 psychologists studied little Albert?
Watson & Rayner
A03 of 2PM = real-world application
-Strength
-Phobias = successfully treated via avoidance, as suggested by model
-Can be applied to real world = useful
A03 of 2PM = cognitive aspects of phobias
-limitation
-ignores cog factors e.g irrational fears
A03 of 2PM = Phobias and traumatic experiences
-strength
-frightening experience can = phobia
-Ad De Jongh et al 73% with dental phobia = had past trauma , compared it to control group, 21% = had trauma but no phobia
A03 of 2PM = Counterpoint of phobias/traumatic experiences
-limitation
-not all cases of phobias lead to bad experiences
-not all bad experiences lead to phobias
example: many people = snake phobia = without ever coming into contact with one
What are the emotional characteristics of depression?
-Anger
-low mood
-low self-esteem
What is depression?
A mental disorder characterised by low mood and low energy levels
What are the behavioural characteristics of depression?
-Activity levels
-disruption to eating/sleeping
-aggression and self-harm
What are the cognitive characteristics of depression?
-Absolutist thinking
-Attending to dwell on negative
-Poor concentration
Define OCD
A condition characterised by obsessions and/or compulsive behaviour
Are obsessions behavioural or cognitive?
Cognitive
Are compulsions cognitive or behavioural?
Behavioural
What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?
-Compulsions are repetitive
-Compulsions reduce anxiety
-Avoidance
What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?
-Guilt and disgust
-Anxiety and distress
-Accompanying depression
What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?
-Obsessive thoughts
-Cognitive coping strategies
-Insight into excessive anxiety
What are the 2 way to treat phobias?
-Flooding
-Systematic desensitisation (SD)
define counterconditioning
learning of a different response (e.g. replacing fear with relaxation)
Define systematic desensitisation
A behavioural therapy technique that gradually reduces the anxiety of a phobic stimulus
What are the 3 parts to systematic desensitisation?
-Anxiety hierarchy (rank situations of phobia stimulus, least-most frightening)
-Relaxation (mental imagery techniques)
-reciprocal inhibition (impossible to be afraid + relaxed at same time)
-Exposure (come into contact with phobic stimulus)
