Psychopathology

Question 1

define OCD

Answer 1

condition characterised by obsessions and/or complusive behaviour

Question 2

what are the 2 behavioural characteristics of OCD

Answer 2

-avoidance
- compulsions

Question 3

what are the 3 emotional characteristics of OCD

Answer 3

-anxiety+distress
-guilt+disgust
-accompanying depression

Question 4

what are 2 cognitive characteristics of OCD

Answer 4

-obsessive thoughts-persistent irrational thoughts
- cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions
- insight into excessive anxiety
- hypervigilance-incr. awareness of source of obsession

Question 5

What is statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality

Answer 5

Abnormaliy is when an individual has a less common characteristic than most of the population e.g less intelligent

Question 6

How are characteristics of statistical infrequency measured?

Answer 6

On a distribution curve whereby majority of people cluster around the average at the top of the curve and the ‘abnormal’ people will lie at the bottom of the curve

Question 7

What is an example of a statistical infrequency?

Answer 7

Average IQ is between 85-115 (68%), only 2% fall below which is intellectual disability disorder

Question 8

Give one strength and limitation of statistical infrequency
Hint: RL application, Unusual characteristics

Answer 8

:) RL application in the diagnosis of disorders like intellectual disability disorder. All assessments of patients with disorders includ. Some kind of measurement of how severe their symptoms are against statistical norms, therefore statistical infrequency=useful part of clinical assessment
:( unusual characteristics can be positive, IQ scored over 130=just as unusual as those below. 70, just bc a few ppl display certain behav does make them statistically abnormal but doesn’t mean they require treatment to return to normal=serious limitation to concept so cannot be used for diagnosis alone

Question 9

What is deviation from social norms as an explanation for abnormality?

Answer 9

Behaviour which is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community/society. We make a collective judgement as a society about what is right

Question 10

Give an example of a deviation from social norms

Answer 10

Antisocial personality disorder(psychopathy)-impulsive, aggressive, unable to perform to ethical behaviour

Question 11

Explain this limitation of deviation from social norms: cultural relativism

Answer 11

Defining behaviour as abnormal through this definition is a problem as social norms vary between generations/communities. TF: different cultures may label others as abnormal whereas others may label them as normal. E.g hearing voices=socially acceptable in some cultures, UK= sign of mental abnormality

Question 12

Give one strength of the deviation from social norms explanation hint: RL application

Answer 12

RL application in diagnosis e.g antisocial personality disorder, TF this explanation =acceptable for thinking about what is normal/abnormal

Question 13

What is the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?

Answer 13

Abnormality occurs when someone is unable to cope with ordinary day-to-day demands of living.

Question 14

What are rosenhan+ seligmans signs for when someone is not coping

Answer 14

• severe personal distress
• behaviour is=irrational/dangerous to themselves/others
• no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules e.g personal space

Question 15

What is an example of failing to function adequately?

Answer 15

Intellectual disability disorder- a person must have low IQ to be diagnosed HE must also be failing to function adequately

Question 16

Explain this strength for the failing to function adequately: patients perspective

Answer 16

• attempts to include the subjective experience of the individual, acknowledging its importance
• definition captures the experience of many of ppl who need help suggesting it is a useful criteria for assessing abnormality

Question 17

Explain this limitation for failing to function adequately: subjective judgements

Answer 17

When deciding if someone is failing to function adequately sm1 has to judge. A patient may say they are distressed but may be judged as not suffering. There= checklists such as the global assessment of functioning scale. HE issue= someone has to judge

Question 18

what is the deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality?

Answer 18

looks at what makes people normal to describe what is abnormal using a set of critera

Question 19

give some examples of jahodas criteria on what good mental health is

Answer 19

-no distress
- self-actualise
- good self-esteem
- independent

Question 20

evaluation: explaining phobias: alt explanations

Answer 20

doesnt fully explain why we have phobias. other explanations for why we acquire+maintain phobia needs to be considered as bc ppl dont remember how they acquired one doesnt mean they dont have one. alt explanation: biological preparedness (innate predisposition to acquire a phobia) we acquire phobias that have been a source of danger in our evolutionary past e.g snakes

Question 21

evaluation: phobias explanation: anxiety reduction

Answer 21

buck: goal of anxiety reduction=not always a favoured response. agoraphobia doesnt support model bc they are more concerned w/safety then avoiding the stimulus of going outside. explains why ppl w/ this phoba are able to go outside w/ a trusted person w/ lil anxiety. contradicts the model that states they wouldnt leave to avoid the anxiety

Question 22

evaluation explaining phobias: good explanatory power

Answer 22

two-process model=step forward from watson+raynors classical conditioning proposal, explains why phobias=maintaned over time. this =important in therapies bc it explains why patients need to be exposed-once patient cant practise their avoidant behaviour, ceases to be reinforced so ti declines

Question 23

what are the 3 behavioural characteristics of phobias

Answer 23

• panic
• avoidance
• endurance

Question 24

what is the emotional characteristic of phobia

Answer 24

• anxiety

Question 25

what are the 3 cognitive characteristics of phobias

Answer 25

• selective attention to phobic stimulus
• cognitive distortions
  -irrational beliefs

Question 27

What are the 3 types of drug treatments that can be used for OCD

Answer 27

-SSRIs
- SNRIs
- tricyclics

Question 28

What do SSRIs stand for?

Answer 28

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Question 29

What does SNRIs stand for?

Answer 29

Selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors

Question 30

What do SSRIs stand for?

Answer 30

Inhibitors re-absorption of serotonin in the brain by preventing re-absorption + breakdown of serotonin = high lvls in synapse

Question 31

What can SSRIs be used with?

Answer 31

• CBT- reduce emotional symptoms so ppl can engage w/CBT
• tricyclics- used if patient doesn’t repsond

Question 32

How do SNRIs work?

Answer 32

Used if ppl do not respond, block the transporter mechanism that re-absorbs serotonin +noradrenaline so more neurotransmitter= left in synapse, inc their activity

Question 33

Evaluation of treating OCD: improve symptoms

Answer 33

Soomro: reviewed 17 studies comp. SSRIs+placebos + conclud. SSRIs better results reduce OCD symptoms in 70% of patients in the ST

Question 34

Evaluation of OCD treatment : effective LT

Answer 34

Koran: criticised R/S evidence, studies only last 3-4 months +no evidence for effective LT

Question 35

Evaluation of OCD treatment: practical

Answer 35

Drugs=more practical comp. To psychological treatment, cheaper+requires less commitment =mre value for the NHS in improving lives