psychopathology Flashcards
describe and evaluate two or more definitions of abnormality AO1
social norm: breaking these
-deviation from social norms
e.g. walking naked in public
fail to function adequately
- Rosenhan & Seligman set of abnormal characteristics
- distress to others, unpredictable + uncontrollable & maladaptive
deviation from ideal mental health
- Jahoda 6 characteristics
e.g. personal growth, resistance to stress, accurate perception of reality/mastery of environment
rare or anomalous - statistical infrequency
- statistics define norms
- measured on normal distribution curve
- +/- 2 from mean
describe and evaluate two or more definitions of abnormality AO3
- (deviation) historically biased - social norms change over time e.g. homosexuality in Britain > social deviance cannot offer complete definition - related to context and degree
- (failure to function) partly subjective - objective set but opinion > principle remains whether someone has the right to make this judgment
- (Jahoda) - unrealistic standards - very few attains all criteria e.g. students > questions usefulness
- (statistical) some abnormal desirable e.g. IQ over 150 > unable to distinguish between desirable and undesirable
outline and evaluate the behaviourist approach to explaining phobias AO1
learning approach: people develop phobias as they have learnt them from env (conditioning)
mowrer two-process model - initiation
- classical conditioning + explain (NS + UCR)
continue due to operant
- neg reinforcement > repeat
- punish > less likely
in case of phobias: interaction with phobic stimulus is punishing due anxiety
- avoiding = neg rein as it reduces anxiety
outline and evaluate the behaviourist approach to explaining phobias AO3
+ sue - interviewed people with phobias (traumatic events) > shows CC + role of association important in initiation
- environmentally determinist as suggests only caused by external environmental factors (CC/OC) - Seligman (genetically predisposed) > not all phobias have environmental causes, weakening usefulness
- ignores cognitive aspects of phobias e.g. someone who thinks (lifts) - irrational thinking > why cognitive therapies are more successful in treating v behavioural
- environmentally reductionist - explains complex behaviours on basic environmental level - Di Nardo questionnaires (dog) > phobias not always formed following neg experience, weakening credibility
describe and evaluate the cognitive approach to explaining depression AO1
cognitive A - all behaviour determined by thoughts
schemas
- type determined by prior experiences > neg schemas
- beck’s negative triad: neg schema > ANTS & neg cognitive biases
both mental processes affect behaviour as neg schema > depression, isolation & withdrawal
Ellis neg & irrational thoughts > depression
- rational beliefs > healthy + RA
- ABC model > links beliefs & development of depression
-
activating event doesn’t cause depression, it’s irrational belief
describe and evaluate the cognitive approach to explaining depression AO3
+ depression linked w/ irrational thinking - Hammen and Krantz depressed greater errors in logic > supports view irrational thinking leads to development
+ANTs & NCBs apparent in range of disorders - Beck interviews w/depressed people (views about self, future, world centre) > changing views reduce depression
+ fundamental principles led to CBT - David CBT most effective treatment > success of CBT supports approach as irrational clearly plays a role in depression
- alternative explanations - genetic factors & faulty neurotransmitters (gene > lower serotonin 10x more common + treatments) > some people biological predisposition rather than faulty cognitions
outline and evaluate the cognitive approach to treating depression AO1
cognitive approach assumes depression is caused by negative & irrational thoughts
- treated by challenging
Ellis REBT
- structured, time-limited
- early sessions: describe neg schema, ANTs, NCB
persuade irrational thinking causes depression
- challenge irrational & replace
behavioural techniques > homework
- to be successful: unconditional positive regard - respect & appreciation, regardless > positive beliefs
outline and evaluate the cognitive approach to treating depression AO3
+ Cuijpers meta-analysis of 75 - CBT superior > CBT effective treatment, cross-culturally
- some want to explore past (focus on present & future) - CBT dispute irrational - equally as effective psychotherapies > overemphasises present & ignores role of past
- success due to relationship - Rosenzweig quality of relationship determines success > attempts to treat cause, not active ingredient, weakening credibility
- all treatments equally as effective - March CBT, antidepressants & both in 327 depressed > 81% v 86% > effective but both best
outline and evaluate the biological approach to explaining OCD AO1
inherited through genes
- gene mapping
- twins studies > not 100%
neurotransmitters - several genes
- dopamine COMT gene > increased levels (compulsions)
- serotonin SERT gene > lower levels (obsessions)
faulty brain structure - orbitofrontal cortex (converting sensory info into thoughts & actions)
- PET scans higher activity
- increased activity > difficulty ignoring compulsions (obsessions)
outline and evaluate the biological approach to explaining OCD AO3
+ Gottesman - 87% MZ, 47% DZ > genes strong role
+ Nesdadt antidepressants work purely on serotonin system effective reducing symptoms > neural mechanisms involved
- alternative explanation (two-process model) - NS associated w/anxiety > compulsive behaviours (neg reinf)…
Albucher ERP (feared stimulus & prevented compulsive behaviour) > ERP successful = psychological & biological cause) - biologically determinist (internal factors only) - Cromer over 50% (traumatic event) > question validity as OCD is more complex + interactionist
outline and evaluate the biological approach to treating OCD AO1
antidepressants: prozac
- increase low serotonin
- released into synapse > post-synaptic receptor sites
- travels back & reabsorbed
- reabsorption blocked > more left in synapse
anti-anxiety drugs: valium
- adjust neurotransmitter levels so less anxious
- slow CNS activity by increasing GABA (relaxing effect on neurons)
- reduce brain activity & reduce dopamine impact
outline and evaluate the biological approach to treating OCD AO3
+ Soomro 17 studies SSRIs v placebo - effectiveness greatness when combined with psych treatment > symptoms reduced for 70% rest by alternative drugs or CBT + drugs
+ preferred over others (cost-effective & non-disruptive) - lil input from doctors v CBT > beneficial as more economical for NHS
- effectiveness exaggerated by publication bias - Turner towards positive outcomes - drug companies strong interest in success & fund research > selective publication leads to doctors making decisions not in patients best interest
- side effects - indigestion, blurred vision & loss of sex drive (temporary) > clomipramine more common & serious (weight gain, aggression & disruption to heart rhythm) > reduce effectiveness
Outline and evaluate the behaviourist approach to treating phobias AO1
SD - counter conditioning
- taught to relax (breathing exercises & muscle control) > fear hierarchy
- stages of exposure + e.g.
- continues until no longer present
Flooding - forced to face phobia immediately
- 1 long session + relaxation techniques
- vivid exposure v vitro exposure
Outline and evaluate the behaviourist approach to treating phobias AO3
+ (SD) more effective (traumatic) > lower refusal & attrition rates > main features (gradual exposure) effective
- (SD) long time to be effective (gradual) > many sessions to be desensitised
+ (F) Wolpe forced adolescent girl back of car, hysterical heights > initially distressing but effective if remains in treatment
- (F) psychological harm (intense fear/anxiety) - visualise or experience intense feared situation> other behavioural therapies SD more effective
