Psychopathology

Question 1

describe and explain statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality

Answer 1

behaviour that’s seen as abnormal as its rare and found in very few people outside the normal distribution curve

Question 2

Evaluate statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality

Answer 2

+patient is evaluated objectively so no judgement is involved and it’s not biased

-not all traits are negative and undesirable such as high IQ which is seen as rather desirable

Question 3

list features of failure to function adequately listed by rosenhan and seligman

Answer 3

maladpative behaviour
personal anguish
observer distress
irrationality
conventionality

Question 4

describe failure to function adequately

Answer 4

unable to cope with daily life and features listed by rosenhan and seligman

Question 5

evaluate failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality

Answer 5

-decision whether a person is coping or not is subjective so has bias

-not all maladpative behaviour is linked to mental illness such as drinking

one strength is that it respects induvidual differences

Question 6

describe deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality

Answer 6

going against the unwritten rules of society

Question 7

evaluate deviation from social norms as a defintion of abnormality

Answer 7

one strength is that they don’t impose a western view so respects cultural differences

one weakness is that a deviating act may be acceptable in one context but not another so it has an incomplete explanation

Question 8

describe deviation from ideal mental health as an explanation for abnormality

Answer 8

jahodas features include:
environmental mastery
autonomy
self- actualisation
positive attitude to self
accurate perception of reality

Question 9

evaluate deviation from ideal mental as a definition of abnormality

Answer 9

DIMH takes on a western perspective as some cultures not value some features such as autonomy so the definition is culturally bound and lacks cultural relavisitism

has an unrealistic criteria because everyone gets stressed at some point so then the majority would be considered as abnormal

one strength is that it takes a holistic view on how to improve.

Question 10

list behavioural charateristics of phobias

Answer 10

avoidance of phobia
panic

Question 11

list emotional charateristics of phobias

Answer 11

fear and anxiety

Question 12

list cognitive charateristics of phobias

Answer 12

irrational thoughts that the phobia will cause harm

Question 13

list behavioural charateristics of depression

Answer 13

lethargic
change in apetite
insomnia or hyperisomnia

Question 14

list emotional characteristics of depression

Answer 14

depressed mood- feeling worthless

Question 15

list cognitive charateristics of depression

Answer 15

cant concentrate

Question 16

list behavioural charateristic of OCD

Answer 16

repetitive compulsive behaviour to reduce anxiety

Question 17

list emotional charateristic of OCD

Answer 17

anxiety and depression

Question 18

list cognitive charateristic of OCD

Answer 18

obsessive thoughts

Question 19

describe the explanation of phobias

Answer 19

two process model by mower says phobias are accquired through classical conditioning and maintained by operant conditioning such as avoidance of phobia

Question 20

evaluate explanation of phobias

Answer 20

one strength is research support by Watson and Rayner, Albert had no response to the rat but when asscoiated with a loud noise and it scared him and asscoiates raqts with loud noises and shows that phobias can be accquired by classicial conditioning

application to threapy such as systematic desensitisation and flooding and has been found successful

ignores the role of cognition that phobias may develop from irrational thoughts.led to development of CBT and has been found successful

Question 21

explain systematic desensitisation as a treatment for phobias

Answer 21

1) hierarchy created by client and therapist starting from the least to most panic causing task
2) paired with a relaxation technique such as breathing
3) you move up the hierarchy as each stage is successful
4) at the end a new asscoiation is formed

Question 22

explain flooding as a treatment for phobias

Answer 22

client is fully exposed to the phobia without an escape causing high levels of anxiety and eventually the client calms down and deal with the phobia

Question 23

evaluate treatment of phobias

Answer 23

+/-SD is more pleasurable but takes longer than flooding

-can treat specific phobias but not social phobias

-drugs are an alternative as they are effective and quicker than SD and flooding

Question 24

explain becks negative triad as an explanation of depression

Answer 24

beck’s negative triad says depression is due to negative self schemas these schemeas are developed during childhood
negative triad between the self, future, and world.

cognitive biases:
overgeneralisation- making a conclusion based on 1 experience
catastrophising- exaggeration based on 1 set back

Question 25

explain ellis’s ABC model as an explantion of depression

Answer 25

A-activating event
B-belief (irrational belief)
C-consequences

Question 26

evaluate explantions of depression

Answer 26

+application to therapy such as the development of CBT and REBT an attempt to identify and challenge irrational thoughts

• Origins of irrational thoughts not explained unsure whether its a result of depression or causes depression or could be other factors involved
• alternative explanations such as depression could be a biological condition by genes and neurotransmitters , such as low levels of serotonin found in people with depression

Question 27

explain CBT as a treatment for depression

Answer 27

CBT encourages patients to test their beliefs and replace their negative thoughts with positive and rational ones

1) initial assessment- patient and therapist identify problems
2)set goals
3) CBT- becks or REBT

Question 28

Explain REBT a type of CBT as treatment of depression

Answer 28

challenges irrational thoughts by disputing (arguing) them to replace the beliefs with effective ones .

logical dispute- questioning logic
empirical dispute- evidence for thoughts

Question 29

explain becks CBT as a treatment for depression

Answer 29

identify negative thoughts and challenges thought by finding evidence for and against them so validity of the irrational thoughts is tested

Question 30

evaluate treatment for depression

Answer 30

+march et al- 327 ppts 81% effectiveness with CBT and drugs seperately and 86% w CBT paired with drugs

• requires motivation people who suffer from severe depression may not want to engage and can cause CBT to be ineffective whereas drugs doesnt require motivation

-overemphasis on role of cognition. CBT doesnt consider factors such as social cirumstances that can contribute to depression like domestic violence

Question 31

explain the genetic explanation for OCD

Answer 31

Candidate genes are implicates in OCD
OCD is polygenic- many genes involved such as the COMT & SERT gene

Question 32

explain the neural explanation for OCD

Answer 32

neurotransmitters such as serotonin plays a role in OCD low levels of serotonin is linked to OCD

Question 33

explain the treatment to depression

Answer 33

SSRIs prevent the re-uptake of serotonin meaning higher levels of serotonin in the synapse increase chance of it binding meaning it improves mood and reduces anxiety.

SNRIs also inhibit the re-uptake of noradrenaline and serotonin and is used when SSRIs dont work

Trycyclics do the same but is used when both meds don’t work however isn’t the go to as it has many side effects

benzodiazapine also helps improve mood levels

Question 34

evaluate treatment for treating OCD

Answer 34

+Economic benefit- effectiveness reduces the time people take off work so more people are working and paying tax benefiting the economy.

+ soomro et al- conducted a meta analysis 17 studies with 3097 ppts comparing a placebo supports use for SSRIs reduces symptoms compared to placebo

• Drugs treat the symptoms not eliminate the cause. CBT has long term effects and drugs have a short term effect