Psychopathology Flashcards
what are the 4 definitions of abnormality
- Statistical infrequency
- deviation from social norms
- failure to function adequately
- deviation from ideal mental health
Describe statistical infrequency
- statistics describe typical values
- a frequency graph of behaviours shows a normal distribution (norm)
- The extreme ends define what is not the norm
- Example it is normal to have a baby between the ages of 20-40 whereas anything outside of this is seen as abnormal
Describe deviation from social norms
- norms defined by society
- standards which are acceptable
- anyone who behaves differently to these norms (deviating) is classed as abnormal
- example: being polite in public and in general
Describe failure to function adequately
- being able to manage everyday tasks (eating regularly)
- lack functioning is abnormal if it causes distress to self or others
- an assessment of abnormality conducted by the DSM would include quantitive measure of functioning
Describe Deviation from ideal mental health
- self attitudes (high self esteem)
- self actualisation (individual develops to full capacity)
- integration (cope with stressful situations)
- autonomy (independant)
- Accurate perception of reality
- mastery of environment (ability to love and form relationships)
- absence of these criteria indicates abnormality
Name 3 mental disorders
- Phobias
- Depression
- OCD
Define Phobias
- instances of irrational fears that produce a conscious avoidance of the feared object/situation
- anxiety disorder
Emotional characteristics of Phobias
-the fear is marked and persistent
-likely to be excessive and unreasonable
- causes anxiety and panic
Cognitive characteristics of phobias
- person is aware that their fear is excessive and unreasonable
- resistance to rational arguments
Behavioural characteristics of phobias
- avoidance of the fear
- freeze or faint (stress response)
what type of disorder is depression
mood disorder
Emotional characteristic for depression
- negative emotions
- sadness, anger and loss of interest
behavioural characteristics of depression
- reduced or increased activity levels
- energy levels vary
- lack of sleep and loss of the Appetite
Cognitive characteristics of depression
- negative thoughts and self beliefs
- irrational
define OCD
- obsessive compulsive disorder
- anxiety disorder
- obsessions (persistent thoughts)
- compulsions (repetitive behaviours)
Emotional Characteristics of a OCD
- anxiety and stress
- shame of excessive behaviours
Behavioural characteristics of a OCD
- compulsive behaviours performed to reduce anxiety created by obsessions
Cognitive characteristics of OCD
- recurrent, intrusive and uncontrollable thoughts
What does the two process model consist of
- learned through classical conditioning
- maintained through operant conditioning
describe classical conditioning
- phobia acquired through association between NS and UCR
- NS becomes CS (producing fear)
Describe the study of Little Albert
- Watson and Rayner
- Developed a fear of white rats which generalised to other white furry objects
- This developed when an unconditioned stimulus (the loud noise) was associated with the white rat this produced a fear response, this produced a conditioned response
- as a result when the white rat was by its self there is a conditioned fear response
Describe operant conditioning
- phobia maintained through negative reinforcement
- negative reinforcement (avoidance of fear)
Describe the social learning theory
- phobic behaviour of others are modelled
Name Two ways of treating phobias
Systematic desensitisation
Flooding
Describe Systematic desensitisation
- technique where phobics were introduced to the feared stimulus gradually so that its not so overwhelming
the first step is counterconditioning:
- patient is taught through classical conditioning to associate the phobic stimulus with a new response (relaxation)
- as a result anxiety is reduced
The next step is Relaxation:
- teach the patient relaxation techniques
- focusing on breathing, slow deep breaths
- progressive muscular relaxation is also used
Desensitisation Hierarchy
- least to most feared stimuli
- each time the patient has mastered the previous stage they can move onto the next
Describe Flooding
- consists of one long session with the most fearful stimulus
- experience the phobia at its worst
- continues unit anxiety subsides
- for example a person who is scared of clowns is placed in a room full of clowns
Name the two parts of the biological approach to explaining OCD
- Genetics explanation
- Neural explanation
Describe Genetics Explanation for OCD
- individuals inherited specific genes from their parents that are related to the onset of OCD
COMT gene:
-regulates the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine
- one allele of the COMT gene has been found to be more common in OCD patients than people without the disorder
- this variation produces lower activity of the COMT gene and higher levels of dopamine
SERT gene:
- affects the transport of serotonin, creating lower levels of the neurotransmitter
- one study found a mutation of this gene in two unrelated families where 6 of the 7 family members had OCD.
Diathesis Stress:
- each individual gene only creates a vulnerability for OCD as well as other conditions such as depression.
- however it is other factors which affect what condition develops or wether any mental illness develops
Describe the neural explanation for OCD
Abnormal levels of Neurotransmitter
- dopamine levels are thought to be high in people with OCD
- Animal study: high levels of dopamine showed stereotyped movements resembling compulsive behaviours
- Also lower levels of serotonin are associated with OCD
- study: antidepressant drugs that increase serotonin levels have been shown to reduce OCD symptoms.
Abnormal Brain Circuits
- Worry circuit (The Orbital frontal cortex sends worry signals to the thalamus. These are normally suppressed by the caudate nucleus, however if damaged then the thalamus is alerted and confirms the worry to the OFC, creating a worry circuit)
- Support: scans take place whilst their symptoms are active. such scans show heightened activity on the OFC
- Serotonin plays a key role in the operation of the OFC and the caudate nuclei, appears that abnormal levels of serotonin might cause these areas to malfunction
Name the treatment for OCD and describe it
Drug Therapy
Antidepressants: SSRIs
- increase levels of serotonin, regulates the mood and anxiety
- serotonin is released into the synapse from one neurone and travels across to the target receptor cells on the receiving neurone, serotonin is then reabsorbed by the initial neurone.
- in order to increase levels of serotonin there needs to be an increased stimulation of the post synaptic receptors therefore re-absorption needs to be inhibited
Name the two parts to the Cognitive approach for depression
- Ellis’ ABC model
- Beck’s Negative Triad
Describe Ellis’ ABC model as an explanation for depression
- key to mental disorders is down to irrational beliefs
A: refers to an activating event (get fired from work)
B: is the belief which may be rational or irrational (i was sacked because the company had it in for me)
C:is the consequence, irrational beliefs lead to unhealthy (depression)
Musturbatory Thinking
- thinking that certain ideas or assumptions must be true in order for an individual to be happy
- Ellis identified irrational beliefs and believed that individuals that hold such assumptions is bound to be disappointed at worst depressed. (i must do well in this exam otherwise i am stupid)
Describe Beck’s Negative Triad as an explanation for depression
- Beck believed that depressed individuals feel as though they do because their thinking is biased towards negative interpretations of the world and lack a perceived sense of control
NEGATIVE SCHEMA:
- He believes that they acquire a negative schema during childhood
- could be due to parents, peer rejection, criticism from teachers
- theses schemas can be activated whenever the person encounters a new situation that resembles the original conditions
NEGATIVE TRIAD:
- three elements in a persons belief system
- negative view of self
- negative view of world
- negative view of future
Name the process by which depression can be treated
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Describe CBT as a treatment for depression
1) Challenge irrational thoughts
2) Homework
3) behavioural activation
4) unconditional positive regard
Challenge irrational thoughts:
- Ellis extended his ABCDEF model
D = Disputing irrational thoughts and beliefs
E = Effects of disputing and effective attitude to life
F = New Feelings that are produced
Homework
- Participants are asked to complete assignments between session
- important as it can test irrational beliefs against reality and putting rational beliefs to test
Behavioural activation
- encouraging depressed people to take part in physical activity
- can act as an antidote to depression
Unconditioned positive regard
- convincing the client of their value as a human being so they dont feel as worthless
- this can facilitate a change in beliefs and attitudes
