Psychopathology

Question 1

What is a statistical infrequency

Answer 1

Someone who is mentally abnormal and if their mental condition is rare- variety of behaviour is judged objectively through the use of comparative statistics (comparing statistical of an individual to the rest of the population)

Question 2

What is a normal distribution curve

Answer 2

Shows population spread of certain characteristics where mode median and mean are the central highest point of the curve

Question 3

At what position is a person abnormal on a normal distribution curve

Answer 3

If they’re multiple standard deviations away from the normal average in either direction- less populated/ lower height of the curve

Question 4

What is a positive of statistical infrequencies

Answer 4

They use objective methods to assess a persons abnormality- better in comparison to a clinically subjective diagnosing where whoever receives treatment or support is based on the subjective opinion of another person

Question 5

What could be two criticisms of statistical infrequencies

Answer 5

Not all abnormal or rare infrequencies are a negative- example testing IQ where the average is 100 points, a person with an IQ of 70 being just are rare as a person with an IQ of 130. A old definition of abnormality shouldn’t assess of label a person with good intelligence as being in need of additional support

Average is a subjective judgement with real world implications- such as when the cut off point is 70 for additional support to those with an IQ of less than 70. An individual with an IQ of 71 would be denied support or further treatments when they many require it

Question 6

What is the failure to function adequately

Answer 6

Abnormality where a person is considered abnormal if unable to cope with the demands of everyday life and live independently in society.

Question 7

What is distress in the psychopathology topic

Answer 7

Psychological or physical pain, harm or suffering

Question 8

What is deviance in psychopathology

Answer 8

Thoughts, emotions or behaviours that deviate from common societal norms that are deemed acceptable in society- seen as abnormal

Question 9

What are phobias as a definition

Answer 9

Extreme + persistent irrational fear or anxiety of a specific object situation or activity

Question 10

What are the two behavioural characteristics

Answer 10

Avoidance= immediate avoidance when presented with an object or situation
Panic= high levels of stress and anxiety- fight or flight responses

Question 11

What are emotional characteristics

Answer 11

Unreasonable fears or anxieties= emotional triggers- from a specific object or situation

Question 12

What are some cognitive characteristics

Answer 12

Selective attentions= a fixation on the object they fear because of the irrational fears related to it
Irrational thoughts= untrue thoughts that derive from misconceptions of the fear

Question 13

Who proposed the idea of the two way model

Answer 13

Mowrer (1960)

Question 14

What is the two way model

Answer 14

Mowrer (1960) proposed the idea of explaining how phobias are acquired by classical conditions and the maintained by operant conditioning

Classical conditioning=
- a phobia (conditioned response) is associated from an unfeared object (neutral stimulus) and something that triggers a fear response (unconditioned response)

Operant conditioning=
- Mowrer (1960) suggested whenever we avoid a feared phobia we are reinforcing that fear- the reduction of fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour which is an example of negative reinforcement. Makes avoidance more likely in the future.

Question 15

What is a strength of the two way model in relation to the research conducted by behaviourists

Answer 15

Research evidence to support some phobias develop and are maintained by classical and operant conditioning. The example of lil Albert with the rat and loud bangs. Adds credibility- validates findings- increasing its external validity and explanatory power.
CA= case study, individual specific, not representative —> cautious when generalising

Question 16

What is a weakness of the two way model by Mowrer (1960) with relation to the SLT approach

Answer 16

People can develop a phobia and are not aware of having had a related bad experience.
SLT possibly learning through observation and imitation
Suggest the behaviourist approach is a less liable explanation for the development of phobias

Question 17

How can we use the psychodynamic approach to explain and evaluate the behaviourist approach in explaining phobias

Answer 17

The behaviourist approach is reductive
Little hans- phobias of horses- projecting his fear of his father.
Psychodynamic, frauds emphasis on early childhood influencing adult life (phobias??)
Behaviourist approach less effective explanation for the development of phobias

Question 18

What is flooding?

Answer 18

A form of behavioural therapy used to treat phobias and other anxiety disorders. A client is immediately exposed to an extreme form of the threatening situation until anxiety reaction has decreased.

Question 19

What is counterbalancing?

Answer 19

Learning a new response- in flooding, counterbalancing occurs as a new response (relaxation instead of an anxious reaction) occurs to a phobic stimulus.

Question 20

What is reciprocal inhibition?

Answer 20

The idea that you cannot feel afraid and relaxed at the same time, so one emotion prevents the other

Question 21

What is systematic desensitisation

Answer 21

When a therapist teaches a client relaxation techniques to remove and anxious response to a phobic stimulus

Question 22

What are the 4 processes of systematic desensitisation

Answer 22

• patient is taught how to relax, such as breathing techniques, progressive muscle relaxation and being mindful
• client and therapist other construct an anxiety hierarchy from least to most feared situation with a phobic stimulus.
• client moves up the hierarchy, from least to most feared situation with the phobic stimulus, whilst practicing the relaxation techniques in each stage.
• the patient eventually masters the feared situation that caused them to seek help, new association of relaxation when presented with a past phobic stimuli

Question 23

What is the difference between effective and appropriate treatments

Answer 23

Effectiveness= does it work?
Appropriateness= should we use the therapy/ can it be used by different types of people on different types of phobias.

• form your A03 paragraphs around these

Question 24

What is depression

Answer 24

A mood disorder, characterised by low mood and low energy levels

Question 25

What is the cognitive approach’s explanation for depression

Answer 25

Most concerned about how irrational thinking (cognitions) leads to depression.

Two major cognitive approaches to explain depression=
- Ellis’ ABC model
- becks negative triad

Question 26

What is Ellis’ ABC model 1962 and what does it stand for

Answer 26

The key to depression lies with irrational thoughts.
A= activating event (e.g. you getting fired)
B= the belief, this could be rational or irrational.
C= the consequence, rational beliefs lead to healthy emotions (acceptance) irrational beliefs lead to unhealthy emotions (depression)

Question 27

What is Becks negative Triad

Answer 27

Faulty information processing= focusing on the negative aspects of a situation and ignoring the positives.

Negative self- schemas= if we have a negative self- schema we interpret all information about ourselves in a negative way.

The negative triad- 3 types of native thinking occur naturally, regardless of what is actually happening at the time. This leads to a dysfunctional view of yourself

Question 28

What did becks theory help develop

Answer 28

Becks theory formed the basis of CBT, stating all cognitive elements of depression can be identified and challenged in CBT.

Question 29

How has Ellis’ ABC model also helped the development of CBT

Answer 29

His ideas has helped as it states that by challenging the negative, irrational beliefs a person can reduce their depression

Question 30

What is a key element of CBT

Answer 30

Challenging the irrational thoughts through direct questioning – disputing. This includes using evidence to contradict the client’s irrational thoughts.

Question 31

What is failure to function adequately

Answer 31

People with psychological disorders often experience considerable suffering and a general inability to cope with their everyday activities.

Question 32

Who was Stephen gough

Answer 32

The naked rambler, considered abnormal for each other the definitions of abnormality

Question 33

What is the deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 33

Proposed by Jahoda, looks at positives rather than negative- ideal mental health rather than mental illness.

Jahoda identified 6 major criteria for optimal living, she believed promoted psychological health and wellbeing enables an individual to feel less distress and behave competently.

Question 34

What is the deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 34

Proposed by Jahoda, looks at positives rather than negative- ideal mental health rather than mental illness.

Jahoda identified 6 major criteria for optimal living, she believed promoted psychological health and wellbeing enables an individual to feel less distress and behave competently.

Question 35

What are Jahoda criteria

Answer 35

Self attitudes
Personal growth and self actualisation
Integration
Autonomy
Having an accurate perception of reality
Mastery of the environment