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Psychopathology Flashcards

1
Q

What is statistical infrequency?

A

Abnormal behaviour is that which is statistically rare

uses up to date statistics

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2
Q

How can we work out which behaviours are statistically infrequent?

A

A distribution curve

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3
Q

What percent of people on a distribution graph are statistically abnormal

A

Bottom and top 2.5%

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4
Q

Statistical infrequency evaluation

A

Many mental disorders are statistically rare so has application

People may be misdiagnosed

People with high IQ are labelled as abnormal despite this being desirable

Labelling can be offensive

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5
Q

What is a social norm

A

Unwritten rules on how to behave. They give us expectations of how to behave in certain situations

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6
Q

Implicit vs explicit social norms

A

Implicit - unspoken norms but adhered too
Explicit - Norms that are openly discussed

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7
Q

Deviation from social norms evaluation

A

Helps identify mental health disorders e.g. OCD as it is abnormal to perform compulsive behaviours

Culturally relative- behaviour considered to be abnormal in one culture may not be abnormal in another. Therefore inconsistencies in diagnosing mental illness

Social norms change over time and therefore our perception of what is normal will change over time. Therefore the way we diagnose mental illness will change over time. e.g. gay people institutionalised until 1973

Behaviour may have context e.g. a firerighter smashing a window to break into a building

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8
Q

What is failure to function

A

A person is considered abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life. They may be unable to perform the behaviours necessary for day-to-day living

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9
Q

In what way is a schizophrenic failing to function?

A

They may not be aware that anything is wrong however if they cause distress to other people then that puts them under this definition

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10
Q

How is a persons ability to function measured?

A

The GAF scale (global assessment of functioning)

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11
Q

What 6 areas are needed to function adequately - Who says this?

A

Understanding and communicating
Getting around
Self care
Getting along with people
Life activities
participant in society

WHODAS (world health organisation disability assessment)- DSM

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12
Q

Failure to function evaluation

A

Subject to cultural relativism (west may have different standards such as a high flying career that may not be what other cultures base success off of)

Schizophrenics have no awareness their behaviour is abnormal however they are happy and may not want treatment - However their behaviour may cause distress to others (Observer guilt)

Takes patients perspectives into account as behaviours are only identified if they negatively affect their mental health e.g. hoarding is only a problem if it effects day to day life - however people with less severe OCD may not be diagnosed if they find time to keep rituals

High level of face validity

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13
Q

What does deviation from ideal mental health suggest

A

Mental health being as important as physical health

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14
Q

What are jahodas criteria for ideal mental health

A

Resistance to stress
Autonomy
Positive attitude towards self
Accurate perception of reality
Mastery of environment
Self actualisation

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15
Q

Deviation from ideal mental health evaluation

A

We would all be listed as abnormal - unrealistic to keep them all all the time e.g. death of a family member will induce stress

Very vague

Culturally relative

Useful guidelines for diagnosis - very hollistic and comprehensive and looks at a multitude of factors

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16
Q

What are phobias a type of

A

Strong anxiety

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17
Q

What are the behavioural characteristics of a phobia

A

Panic (running away)

Avoidance (avoid phobia)

Endurance (sufferer remains with stimulus but is very anxious)

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18
Q

What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?

A

Anxiety - much higher than it should be

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19
Q

What are the cognitive characteristics of phobia

A

Selective attention - hard to look away

Irrational beliefs - a phobic may believe stimulus is worse than it is

Cognitive distortions - People see heir phobias as worse than they are

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20
Q

What is one explanation of phobia

A

The behaviourist explanation

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21
Q

What does the behavourist approach suggest (Phobia)

A

Phobias must be learnt

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22
Q

What is the 2 process model (who proposed it)

A

1) Classical conditioning leads to phobia acquisition
2) Operant conditioning reinforces phobia

Mowrer

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23
Q

How is a phobia gained by classical conditioning

A

Phobias are acquired through association

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24
Q

What was the little albert experiment? Who was it conducted by?

A

Watson gave little albert a white rat - no response
Watson played loud banging noises - this made hime cry
Both were given together
The mouse became a conditioned stimulus

Watson and Raynor

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25
Why does operant conditioning reinforce phobias?
Avoidance of fears is negative reinforcement as they feel better having avoided it
26
Behavioural explanations of phobia evaluation
Used in therapy (flooding and desensitisation) Based on animal studies (Watson's rat study) Opposed by diathesis stress model Many don't know how they gained a phobia
27
What are the behavioural treatments for phobia
Flooding Systematic desensitisation
28
What is flooding
Flooding involves the patient exposing themselves to their fear its worst. They will experience their feared situation in full without the option of avoidance. The principle behind the technique is that without the option of a avoidance, the person learns that the feared object is harmless Flooding should create extinction of the association. The experience will not be over until the patient reaches relaxation with the feared object. This may occur because they are too exhausted to continue being fearful
29
What is systematic desensitisation?
The patient creates an anxiety hierarchy for their feared object from most to least feared The patient learns relaxation techniques to cope with the anxiety They will be counter conditioned We can't be scared and relaxed at the same time (reciprocal inhibition)
30
Gilroy
Examined 42 patients with arachnophobia (fear of spiders). Each patient was treated using three 45-minute systematic desensitisation sessions. When examined 3 months and 33 months later, the systematic desensitisation group were less fearful than a control group (who were only taught relaxation techniques)
31
Treatments for phobias evaluation
Flooding is quick and easy Unethical- Very traumatic so people may quit SD is effective in 75% of patients (however the other 25% can't be explained which undermines classical conditioning) Systematic desensitisation is time consuming **as the person with the phobia needs to be trained in relaxation techniques and gradual exposure can take many sessions**
32
What are the behavioural characteristics of depression
Reduced energy Poor sleep (insomnia) Aggressive
33
What are the emotional characteristics of depression
Low mood Anger Low self esteem
34
What are the cognitive characteristics of depression
Poor concentration Poor decision making Only focus on the negative Absolutist thinking (if a tiny thing goes wrong this is a disaster)
35
By what explanation do we explain depression
The cognitive explanation
36
What does the cognitive model of depression suggest
Thoughts are responsible for depression
37
What did Beck say depressed people do?
Make errors in logic by demonstrating negative thinking Depressed people selectively focus on the negative aspects of life and ignore the positive (black and white thinking)
38
What did Beck suggest depression is the result of
Faulty info processing Negative self schema The cognitive triad
39
What are 2 types of faulty information processing? What do they mean?
Overgeneralisations - A sweeping conclusion is drawn off a single incident Catastrophising - A minor set back is exaggerated to a complete disaster
40
What is a negative self schema? What are the 3 types?
A package of ideas and info that has developed with experience Ineptness - We expect to fail Self-blame - Everything is their fault Negative self-evaluation - The individual is worthless
41
What are the 3 parts of becks cognitive triad?
Negative views on: World Self Future
42
What is Ellis's ABC model
Activating event Belief (thoughts) Consequence (behaviour)
43
Grazioli and Terry
Assessed 65 pregnant women for cognitive vulnerability and depression before and after birth. They found that those women with high cognitive vulnerability were most likely to suffer from post- natal depression. Therefore provides support for Becks cognitive vulnerabilities
44
Cognitive explanation for depression evaluation
Treatments like CBT have been made Doesn't explain where depression comes from - (Lacks cause and effect) Opposed by biological approach which suggests serotonin plays a big part Becks theory doesn't explain all aspects of depression (people have differing symptoms)
45
What is CBT
Cognitive behavioural therapy Helps people change how they think and what they do
46
What is REBT - Who proposed it
Rational emotive behavioural therapy Proposed by ellis Aims to change the way people think about things Identifies and disputes the patients irrational thoughts
47
What is the REBT extension of Ellis's ABC model
A citvating event B elief C onsequence D ispute (thoughts) E ffects (of disputing) F eelings
48
What else is required for CBT
Homework - Complete tasks to help challenge irrational beliefs Behavioural activation - The patient should become more active / socialise Unconditional positive regard - Therapist must show complete support for the patient no matter their situation
49
CBT evaluation
Very effective (90%) as found by Ellis. March found it to be as effective as antidepressants (327 adolescents after 36 weeks had 81% improvement in both CBT and Anti-depressants. **However 86% if taking both suggesting combo better** If a client is very depressed, they won't be motivated to do CBT The client is taught to help themselves May overemphasise cognitive factors - Doest acknowledge the clients past / current situation. For example CBT may allow you to cope with an abusive relationship however it may be better to get out
50
What is an obsession
A persistent thought/idea that is intrusive and **causes anxiety**
51
What is a compulsion
A repetitive behaviour or mental act a person does to **reduce anxiety**
52
What is necessary for the DSM to recognise OCD
Recurrent obsessions and compulsions Patient recognition that that obsessions and compulsions are unreasonable Persons life is in distress because of this
53
What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD
Compulsions to reduce anxiety Avoidance to triggers
54
What are the emotional characteristics of OCD
Guilt over small things Depressed Frightening
55
What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD
Bad obsessive **thoughts** Insight into irrationality of thoughts
56
By what explanation do we explain OCD
The biological explanation
57
How do abnormal neurotransmitter levels cause OCD
Dopamine = high Animal study - higher dopamine levels in animals caused an increase in OCD) Serotonin = low Antidepressants increase serotonin and reduce OCD
58
How do abnormal brain circuits effect OCD
The worry circuit is not working Worry signals from the orbitofrontal cortex to the thalamus are not suppressed by the caudate nucleus If caudate nucleus is damaged, this is exacerbated
59
What are the genetic explanations for OCD
The COMT gene - produced an enzyme that regulates dopamine production The SERT gene regulates the transport of serotonin (can cause lower levels)
60
What does polygenetic mean (OCD is) | How many genes and who found it
More than 1 gene effects it | 230 - Taylor
61
What does diathesis stress argue
That there is both a biological and environmental cause. The environment activates a gene
62
Biological explanations for OCD evaluation
Genetic doesn't take environment into account for example most twin studies have kids who were raised in the same environment Good real life application of SSRI's (Piggot showed their effectiveness) R.S. Nestadt - reviewed evidence that 68% of identical twins will both have OCD compared to 31% of non-identical twins. Only nature side of the debate Could be explained by 2 process model. Behaviour forms clasically and then maintained through negative reinforcement
63
What are the biological treatments for OCD?
SSRI's Benzodiazapenes Tricyclics
64
What are SSRI's
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors Prevent breakdown of serotonin so it increases in the brain Symptoms decline 70% of patients Work better in conjunction with CBT
65
How long do SSRI's take to work
3-4 months
66
What are Benzodiazapenes? Neurotransmitter?
Anti-anxiety medication Enhances gaba (tells the brain to slow down) General quieting effect on brain Symptoms decline 70% of patients
67
What are Tricyclics?
Anti-depressants Prevents breakdown of serotonin More severe side effects that SSRI's
68
Biological treatments for OCD evaluation
Effective in 70% of patients (Soomro found SSRI's significantly better than placebo **accross 17 trials**). C.A. - study only looks at short term effects Preferred by patients as easy to manage and less time consuming & cost effective Only treat symptoms - not cure (does not address underlying issue) - also comes with a variety of side effects e.g. benzos are addictive and shouldnt be taken for more than 4 weeks (ashton) Turner argues publication bias in research. The effectiveness of certain drugs may be exaggerated

Psychology (14 decks)

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