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Psychology Paper 1 > Psychopathology > Flashcards

Psychopathology Flashcards

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1
Q

treating phobias
define the aims of systematic desensitisation

A

aim to teach patient to learn a more appropriate association to reduce unwanted response
reciprocal inhibition- inhibiting anxiety by substituting a competing response(relaxation)

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2
Q

evaluation of systematic desensitisation
EFFECTIVE

A

works with specific phobias then a particular phobic object/situation can be identified
BUT less effective with acrophobia and social phobia

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3
Q

evaluation of systematic desensitisation SUITABLE FOR A DIVERSE RANGE OF PARTICIPANTS

A

simple process that patient controls

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4
Q

evaluation of systematic desensitisation
ACCEPTABLE TO PATIENT

A

choice between SD and Flooding, more patients choose SD as it does not create the same degree of trauma

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5
Q

treating phobias
define flooding

A

involves overwhelming an individual senses with the item or situation that causes anxiety= realises that not harm will occur
*no relaxation technique is set up

individual is exposed repeatedly and in an intensive way

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6
Q

treating phobias aimed results of flooding

A

indivusal learns phobic stimulus is harmless = extinction

conditioned stimulus (dog) is encountered without the unconditioned stimulus (being bitten) = conditioned stimulus no longer produced the conditioned response (fear)

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7
Q

evaluation of flooding
COST EFFECTIVE

A

quick effect that flooding does = treatment is cheaper than alternatives

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8
Q

evaluation of flooding
LESS EFFECTIVE FOR SOME PHOBIAS

A

like social phobias because they have cognitive aspects - individuals does not simply experienced an anxiety response but thinks unpleasant things

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9
Q

evaluation of flooding
TRAUMATIC

A

produces high levels of fear and this can be very traumatic = patients may refuse to start or continue treatment

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10
Q

DSM-5 categories of OCD

A

OCD
trichotillomania - hair pulling
hoarding disorder
Excoriation disorder- skin picking

all repetitive behavior accompanied by obsessive thinking

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11
Q

behavior signs and symptoms of OCD

A

compulsions are repetitive- feel compelled to repeat behaviour

compulsions reduce anxiety- behavior are performed in attempt to manage anxiety produced by obsesssions

avoidance- attempt to reduce anxiety by keeping away from triggering situations

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12
Q

cognitive signs and symptoms of OCD

A

obsessives thoughts- 90% of suffers have obsessives thoughts . are always unpleasant

cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions- adapt coping strategies to help manage anxiety but may seem abnormal to others

insight into excessive anxiety- aware thoughts are irrational but have “worst case” scenario thinking = anxiety. tend to be very hyper-vigilant

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13
Q

emotional signs and symptoms of OCD

A

anxiety and distress- unpleasant emotional experience due to anxiety (obsessions + compulsion)
thoughts can be frightening and overwhelming

accompanying depression- anxiety accompanied with low moods and lack of enjoyment

guilt and disgust

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14
Q

obsessive compulsive disorder

A

persistent thoughts, ideas or impulses that are experiences repeatedly, feels intrusive and cause anxiety
repetitive and rigid behavior tor mental act that person acts on to reduce anxiety

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15
Q

the cycle of OCD

A

obsessive thought -> anxiety-> compulsive behavior -> temporary relief-> obsessive thought ….

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16
Q

biological explanations for OCD
GENETICS

A

candidate genes have been implicated in the development of OCD
eg : SERT gene, regulates serotonin (facilitates message transfer across synapses) low levels in OCD
COMT gene, regulates the production of dopamine (drive and motivation) high in OCD

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17
Q

biological explanations for OCD
GENETICS counter

A

not everyone in a family gets OCD so there must be an additional factor

diathesis stress model- people gain a vulnerability towards OCD by genes but an environmental stressor is also required (stressful event)

OCD is thought to be polygenic- development is not determined by a single gene but a few = there is little predictive power from this explanation

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18
Q

evaluation of genetic explanations
GENETIC
(OCD)

A

evidence suggest that there is a genetic component to the disorder.
Pauls et al ; there is a higher percentage of OCD suffers in relatives of patients with OCD than in control group without OCD

BUT
the results of family studies could also be explained by environmental influences, relatives may have observed and imitated the behavior (SLT)

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19
Q

evaluation of genetic explanation
CANDIDATE GENES

A

candidate genes are ones which through research has been implicated with the development of OCD
BUT
there are too many genes involves and psychologists have not be successful in identifying all the genes involved

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20
Q

evaluation of genetic explanations
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
OCD

A

individuals may gain a vulnerability towards OCD through genes that are then triggered by an environmental stressor

BUT
Cromer found that OCD was more sever in those with more than one trauma , therefore it may be more productive to focus on environmental cause it seems that not all OCD is entirely genetic in origin

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21
Q

neural explanation of OCD

A

genes associated with OCD are likely to affect the levels of key neurotransmitters as well as structures of the brain

  • abnormal levels of certain neurotransmitters
  • certain brain circuits may be abnormal
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22
Q

neural explanation of OCD
role of serotinin

A

regulates mood
low levels of serotonin = normal transmission of mood relevant information does not take place and mood are affected
OCD can be explained by a reduction in the functioning of the serotonin system in the brain

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23
Q

neural explanation of OCD
neuroimaging

A

enabled researchers to study the brain in detail and identify normal brain patterns= comparisons with abnormal brain patterns

basal ganglia
responsible for innate psychomotor functions
hypersensitivity of the basal ganglia = rise to the repetitive motor behaviors seen in OCD

orbitofrontal cortex and the thalamus
(thalamus- cleaning, checking and safety behaviors)
(OFC decision making and worrying)- overactive in OCD
= increased motivation to clean or check for safety = overactive OFC = increased anxiety and increased planning to avoid anxiety

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24
Q

evaluation of neural explanations for OCD
role of neurotransmitters

A

allows medication to be developed
BUT
drugs are not completely effective
decreased OCD symptom but does not mean that it causes it in the first place

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25
Q

evaluation of neural explanation for OCD

A

advances in technology have allowed investigation in specific areas of the brain more accurately , OCD suffers have more activity in orbital frontal cortex
BUT
not necessarily the cause of it

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26
Q

DSM-5 categories of depression

A

MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER - sever but short term depression
PERSISTENT DEPRESSUIVE DISORDER- long term/ recurring depression, including sustained depression
DISRUPTIVE MOOD DYREGULATION DISORDER - childhood temper tantrums
PERMENSTURAL DYSPHORIC DISORDER- disruption to mood prior to and/or during mensturation

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27
Q

behavioral characteristics of depression

A

behavior changes and reduced energy levels
- activity levels
- disruption to sleep and eating behaviors
-aggression and self harm

(too much sleep “hypersomnia” & too little sleep; “insomnia”)

28
Q

cognitive characteristics of depression

A

tend to focus on the negative aspects of a situation
- poor concentration
-dwelling on negative
-absolutist thinking

29
Q

emotional characteristics of depression

A

describe themselves as “worthless” and “empty”
-lowered mood
-anger
-lowered self esteem

30
Q

Becks approach to explaining depression

A

suggest that there is a cognitive explanation to why some people are more vulnerable to depression than others
- faulty information processing
-negative self schemas
- the negative triad

31
Q

becks approach to explaining depression
define faulty information processing

A

people who are depressed make fundamental errors in logic
they tend to selectively attend to the negative aspects of a situation and ignore the positive aspects
think in terms of black and white and worry over small problems

32
Q

becks approach to explaining depression
negative self schemas

A

ideas we have about our selves, developed with experience
= interpret all the information about themselves in a negative way
(childhood events)

33
Q

becks approach to explaining depression
the negative schemas STUDY

A

aim: to investigate the thought process of depressed people to establish if they have negative schemas

method: thought processes were measured using Dysfunctional Attitude Scale. participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire, agree or disagree

result: depressed participants made more negative assessments

= depression involves the use of negative schemas

34
Q

becks approach to explaining depression
the negative triad

A

built on the idea of maladaptive responses and suggests that people with depression are trapped in a cycle of negative thoughts
tend to view things in a pessimistic way - the triad of impairments
- negative view of themselves
- negative view of the future
- negative view of the world

= automatic negative thoughts

35
Q

Ellis explanation for depression

A

proposed that good mental health is due to rational thinking

rational thinking: reasonable, logical, realistic
irrational thinking: self defeating, illogical, inaccurate

ABC model:
Activating event
Belief
Consequence

36
Q

evaluation of Becks explanation
APPILCATION

A

cognitive explanation has formed the basis of cognitive behavioral therapy. all cognitive aspects of depression can be challenged in CBT= therapist can challenge patients views and promote rational thinking

37
Q

evaluation of Becks explanation
limited explanation

A

explains the basic symptoms of depression but complex disorder has a range of symptoms
such as hallucinations and delusions

38
Q

evaluation of Ellis explanation
partial explanation

A

some depression does occur as a reuslt of an activating event but not all depression occurs due to obvious cause

39
Q

evaluation of Ellis explanation
application

A

explanation has led to succesful therapy.
irrational negative beliefs are challenged = reduce depressive symptoms
therefore suggests that irrational thinking has some role in depression

40
Q

evaluation of Ellis explanation
limited explanation

A

does not explain why some individuals experience anger associated with their depression/ suffer from hallucinations

41
Q

alternative explanation to depression
BIOLOGICAL APPROACH

A

genes and neurotransmitters may cause depression
- drug therapies help patients reduce symptoms by altering levels of neurotransmitters

diathesis stress model- genetic vulnerability to depression that is activated by the environment which leads to irrational thinking

42
Q

definitions of abnormality

A

deviation from social norms
failure to function adequately
statical infrequency
deviation from ideal mental health

43
Q

define deviation from social norms

A

each society has norms which are seen as acceptable
behaviour that deviates from the norms are seen as abnormal
making a collective judgement as a society about what is right

eg: anti social personality disorder

+ allows consideration of social dimensions of behaviour, behaviour is abnormal dependent on situation

  • norms change overtime= cannot define abnormality
44
Q

define statistical infrequency

A

behaviours that are statically rare are seen as abnormal
(outside normal distribution of 5%)
Eg : IQ

+ appropriate for mental illnesses where statistical criteria is available

  • not all infrequent behaviours are
    abnormal (depression 10% = suggests it is not abnormal
45
Q

define failure to function adequately

A

behaviour is abnormal when it causes distress leading to dysfunction and cannot cope with everyday life

Rosenhan and Seligman
- no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules (eg, making eye contact or respecting another personal space)
- personal distress
-irrational or dangerous to themselves/ others
- violates moral standards

eg: schizophrenia

+ take into account experiences of the patient = assessment made from the point of view of the person experiencing it

  • abnormality is not always accompanied by dysfunction
46
Q

define deviation from ideal mental health

A

Jahoda’s criteria for good mental health:
- positive attitude towards self
-self actualisation
-resistance to stress
-autonomy
-accurate perception of reality
-mastery of environment

eg: depression

+positive approach to mental problems focus on what is desirable. giving aims

  • accused of having over demanding criteria - difficult to meet all 6 characteristics
47
Q

DSM-5 categories of phobias

A
  • specific phobia: phobia of an object, or a situation
  • social anxiety (social phobia): phobias of a social situation such as public speaking
    -Agoraphobia: phobia of being outside or in a public space
48
Q

behavioural characteristics of phobias

A

panic: panic in response ot the presence of the phobic stimulus. (crying, screaming or running away)

avoidance: make effort to avoid coming in contact with the phobic stimulus. make it hard to go about daily life

endurance: alternative to avoidance. suffers remains in the presence of the phobic stimulus but continues to experience high levels pf anxiety

49
Q

emotional characteristics of phobias

A

anxiety: unpleasant state of high arousal. prevents the sufferer relaxing and experience positive emotion. fear is the immediate and extremely unpleasant response

emotional responses are unreasonable: disproportionate to the danger the stimulus poses.

50
Q

cognitive characteristics of phobias

A

how information is processed

selective attention to the phobic stimulus: hard to look away when there is a phobic stimulus near even when causing anxiety. not useful when the fear is irrational because there is no dangerous threat

irrational beliefs: causes unreasonable rinses of anxiety towards the phobic stimulus due to incorrect perception as to what the danger posed actually is

cognitive distortion: perception of the phobic stimulus may be distorted. therefore it may appear grossly distorted or irrational

51
Q

behavioural approach to explaining phobias
TWO PROCESS MODEL

A

based on the behavioural approach
phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and continued due to operant conditioning

52
Q

classical conditioning

A

learning to associate something we have no fear of (neutral stimulus) with something that spreading triggers a fear repsonse (unconditioned stimulus)

NS-> no fear
UCS-> fear (UCR)
NS + UCS->UCR
CS-> CR

53
Q

classical conditioning
little Albert

A

created a phobia of rats in a 9 month baby
the conditioning then generalised to similar objects

53
Q

two process model
classical conditioning
little Albert

A

created a phobia of rats in a 9 month baby

54
Q

two process model
operant conditioning

A

changing behaviour because of a reward or punishment

once fear is established the individual then avoids the object or situation that produces fear
= reduces anxiety
+ strengthens fear because makes it more likely that this object/situation will be avoided in the future
reinforces avoidance behaviour

55
Q

evaluation of the two process model
good explanatory power

A

explains how phobias can be maintained over time- helps in therapy because it explains why patients need to be exposed to the feared stimulus
patient is prevented from avoiding stimulus= no longer reinforced

56
Q

evaluation of the two process model
alternative explanation for avoidance behaviour

A

not all avoidance behaviour is result of anxiety reduction
eg; complex phobias like agoraphobia can be motivated by a positive by a positive feeling of safety
theory only suggests avoidance is motivated by anxiety reduction

57
Q

evaluation of the two process model
incomplete explanation of phobias

A

evolutionary factors have some rile in phobias but isn’t mentioned in the theory
easily acquire phobias from source of danger in past (dark, snakes)
biological preparedness- innate predisposition to acquire some fears

58
Q

processes involved in SD

A

anxiety hierarchy- is put together by patient and therapist. list of situations related to the phobic stimulus in order from least to most frightening.

relaxation: teaches the patient to relax as deeply as possible. breathing exercise or mental imagery techniques

exposure: when in a relaxed state they are exposed to the phobic stimulus starting at the bottom of the heirarchy

59
Q

what is drug therapy to treat OCD

A

used for biological therapy for anxiety
assumes that there is a chemcial imbalance in the brain
commonly uses SSRI

60
Q

combining SSRIs with other treatment for OCD

A

drug used alongside CBT
drug reduces emotional symptoms such as anxiety or depression
= engage in CBT to treat behavioral and cognitive symptoms

61
Q

alternative to SSRIs for treating OCD

A

not effective after 3 - 4months = dose increased or combined with another drug

tricyclics= same effect on serotonin system as SSRI’s. only used for patients that don’t respond to SSRI’s

SNRIS= (serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors) second choice of drug to SSRI’s for patients that don’t respond. increase serotonin and noradrenaline

62
Q

evaluation of drug therapy
COST

A

cheap in comparison to psychological treatments + are non disruptive to patients lives.

63
Q

evalution of drug therapy
UNRELIABLE EVIDENCE

A

drug companies sponsor research they may decide to suppress any results that do not support the drug they are marketing.
drug companies do not publish all their results. therefore data on the effectiveness of drugs may not be trustworthy

64
Q

evaluation of drug therapy
OCD TRAUMA

A

OCD is believed to be biological in origin it can also have different causes. OCD with no family history can be triggered by a life event and therefore treated differently from those with family history and no trauma . drugs may not be appropriate

Psychology Paper 1 (4 decks)

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