psychopathology Flashcards
explain how statistical infrequency can be used as a definition of abnormality
give an example
evaluate.
statistical infrequency demonstrates when an individual has a less common characteristic.
this is used for characteristics which can be reliably measured.
e.g; intelligence, using an IQ test
average IQ is 100, if below 70, person is liable for IDD diagnosis
+can be used in clinical practice for diagnosis
-infrequent characteristics aren’t necessarily a negative thing, should not be used as the sole basis for defining abnormality
explain how deviation from social norms can be used as a definition for abnormality.
give an example.
evaluate.
concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour for that community/society.
e.g antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy)- DSM 5 describing it as ‘failure to conform to lawful and culturally normal, ethical behaviour’
+can be used in clinical practice, used to define when a person is deviating from what’s expected
-there is a variation of social norms between different cultures/situations
explain how failure to function adequately can be used as a definition of abnormality
reference S…. and R…. work.
evaluate.
+ sensible ….
- easy to ….
failure to function adequately means a person can no longer cope with the demands of everyday life.
Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) suggested these were the signs a person is not coping:
-no longer conform to standard, impersonal rules
-severe personal distress
-behaviour is dangerous/irrational
+sensible threshold for when professional help is needed, treatment can be given to those who need it most
-easy to label non-standard life choices as abnormal
explain how deviation from ideal mental health can be used as a definition for abnormality.
reference Jahoda’s work
evaluate
Jahoda (1958) created a list displaying the qualities needed for ideal mental health:
(here are a few: )
-no symptoms/distress
-realistic view of the world
-self actualise
-good self esteem
-independent of other people
+provides checklist, highly comprehensive, covers many reasons why people may need help
-different elements are not equally applicable across a range of cultures
how does DSM-5 define phobias?
all phobias are characterised by excessive fear and anxiety, triggered by an object, place or situation
explain these phobias:
specific phobia
social phobia
agoraphobia
specific phobia- phobic of an object/situation
social phobia- phobia of social situation
agoraphobia- phobia of outside/public places
explain the behavioural characteristics of phobias
p….
a…..
e…..
panic - screaming, crying, run away
avoidance - preventing contact with phobic stimulus
endurance- choosing to remain in contact with phobic stimulus
explain the emotional characteristics of phobias
a…
f….
e…r…. is u….
anxiety - unpleasant state of high arousal, difficult to relax
fear- shorter period, immediate and unpleasant
emotional response is unreasonable- reaction to phobia is disproportionate to threat posed
explain the cognitive characteristics of phobias
s… a….
i… b…..
c…. d….
selective attention to phobic stimulus - hard to look away (this is good when reacting to a threat, but not when the fear is irrational)
irrational beliefs- holds belief in relation to phobic stimulus which has no basis in reality. increases pressure for person to perform well.
cognitive distortions- perceptions may be inaccurate/distorted
explain the behavioural approach to EXPLAINING phobias
(model)
behavioural approach emphasises the role of behaviour, using the two process model which was created by Mowrer (1960)
1.acquisition by classical conditioning
learning to associate neutral stimulus (no fear of this) with an unconditioned stimulus (thing you are naturally fearful of)
2.maintenance by operant conditioning
takes place when a behaviour is reinforced or punished
when we avoid phobic stimulus, we successfully escape the fear we would have experienced if it remained there
this reduction in fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour, and so the phobia is maintained.
EVALUATE the behavioural approach to EXPLAINING phobias (two-process model)
+applied in real world, identifies a means of treating behaviours
+explains link between traumatic experiences and phobias, as demonstrated with Little Albert study
-does not account for cognitive aspects of phobias, doesn’t offer adequate explanation for phobic cognitions, eg cognitive distortions
explain the behavioural approach for TREATING phobias
(SD)
systematic desensitisation (SD)
behavioural therapy used to gradually reduce phobic anxiety, through the principle of classical conditioning
if person can learn to relax in presence of phobic stimulus, they will learn a new response - called ‘counterconditioning’
three processes in SD:
- anxiety hierarchy
list of situations relating to phobia, constructed by therapist and patient - relaxation
therapist teaches patient to relax
based of theory of reciprocal inhibition (can’t be calm and afraid at same time)
meditation/breathing techniques - exposure
client is exposed to phobic stimulus whilst in relaxed state
takes place in several sessions, beginning at bottom of hierarchy
treatment is complete when patient can stay relaxed in situations high up in the hierarchy
explain the behavioural approach for TREATING behaviours
(flooding)
evaluate
involves exposing people to their phobic stimulus, without a gradual build up
flooding stops phobic responses quickly- without the option of avoidance, client learns that the phobic stimulus is harmless- called ‘extinction’
+cost effective as it tends to be one long lesson
-possibly traumatic, ensure informed consent
-attrition (drop out) rates are higher than SD
describe the behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of depression
behavioural
-activity levels
-sleep/eating disruption
-aggression/self harm
emotional
-lowered mood
-anger
-lowered self esteem
cognitive
-poor concentration
-attending/dwelling on negative
-absolutist thinking
explain the cognitive approach towards treating depression
-Beck’s negative triad
-Ellis’s ABC Model
Beck’s ‘negative triad’ states that people have 3 types of negative thinking which occur naturally:
1.negative view of world
2.negative view of self
3.negative view of future
suggests depressed people have ‘faulty information processing’ which means they only attend the negatives and have a ‘negative self schema’
Elli’s ABC model:
A- activating event (event which triggers depression)
B- irrational beliefs
C- consequences (emotional and behavioural)
added these when discussing treatment of depression:
D- dispute (challenging beliefs through vigorous argument )
E- effect
