Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Psychology Paper 1 > Psychopathology > Flashcards

Psychopathology Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of psychopathology?

A

The scientific study of psychological disorders.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the definition of deviation from social norms?

A

Behaviour that break the explicit rules and standards that exist within society

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the evaluation of deviation from social Norms

A

+ easy to use/ identify
- Norms change
- how do we class criminal behaviour?
- eccentricity is not a form of abnormality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the definition of statistical infrequency?

A

A persons thinking behaviour is abnormal if it is statistically rare

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the Evaluation of statistical infrequency?

A

+ objective method
- not all abnormal behaviour benefits from treatment (high IQ)
- cultural bias
- label is not useful

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the 7 qualities of the ideal mental health?

A
  • self attitude
  • being rational
  • personal growth
  • integration
  • accurate perception of reality
  • autonomy
  • mastery of environment
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the Evaluation of deviation for ideal mental health?

A

+ successful practical application (treatments)
- difficult to achieve this standard
- cultural bias (Jahodas classification is for Western Europe)
- criteria is very subjective (impossible to test if an individual has an accurate perception of reality)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What does failure to function adequately mean?

A

Not being able to cope with everyday living

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are Rosenhan and Seligman’s 5 criteria of failure to function adequately?

A
  • maladaptiveness
  • irrationality
  • loss of control
  • observer discomfort
  • personal distress
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the evaluation of failure to function adequately?

A

+ can be used to make an objective diagnosis
- very subjective and open to interpretation
- some people appear to function in adequately despite having an abnormality
- culture bias

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How is deviation from Social norms ‘easy to use’ AO3

A

Relatively easy for a psychologist to identify when a rule is broken,
enables people who have a mental abnormality to be identified,
once they are identified they can recieve treatment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Develop the evaluation for deviation from social norms that ‘norms can change’ AO3

A

Until the 1970s homosexuality was listed as a mental disorder and unmarried mothers were deemed morally insane. However neither would be considered an abnormality now.
This is a limitation because if psychologists used historically based norms then they might inaccurately label someone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How do we class criminal behaviour? Deviation from social norms AO3

A

Criminal behaviour is classed as deviating from social norms but is not a form of abnormality.
Violation of legal norms is regarded as criminal rather than a mental disorder. However crimes such as rape and cannibalism are often regarded as the criminal being mentally ill.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

P: a ________ of defining abnormality from social norms is that it is too simplistic
E: behaviour needs to be understood in _____. Some behaviour such as wearing a suit jacket and skirt could be regarded as abnormal or eccentric behaviour here as walking down the street talking out loud to an _____ man could be regarded as a _____ _____
E: it is too _____ to say all forms of abnormality can be defined as deviating from social norms
L: people who are not mentally unwell might fall under this definition

A

P: limitation
E: context / invisible / mental disorder
E: simplistic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How can failure to function adequately be used to make an objective diagnosis? AO3

A

P: Clinicians use global assessment of functioning scale to make an objective diagnosis
E: scale is used by clinicians to rate individuals social, occupational and psychological functioning and is scored numerically
E: scale clearly allows clinicians to judge the degree of an individual v
Having an abnormality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How is failure to function adequately subjective? AO3

A

P: FFA definition makes it difficult to decide threshold of each standard so it is open to interpretation
E: not clear how serious the features have to be in order to be abnormal
E: may lead to invalid and u reliable diagnosis of abnormality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How do some people appear to function adequately despite having an abnormality? AO3

A

P: people appear to function adequately despite having abnormality
E: many alcoholics or cocaine addicts are able to hold down a job and carry out day to day activities
E: behaviours would not meet the criteria for this definition despite being substance dependent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How is failure to function adequately culture bound? AO3

A

P: what is considered adequate in one culture might not be in another
E: explains why lower class non white patients are more often diagnosed with mental disorders
E: may lead to invalid and unreliable judgement and incorrect diagnosis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How is statistical infrequency an objective method? AO3

A

P: provides an objective method for definition of abnormality
E: uses statistics to measure normal behaviour looking at a distribution curve and identifying what scores would be considered abnormal
E: provides a practical method of diagnosing abnormality and doesn’t rely on the subjective interpretation of a clinician

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Howcome not all statistically infrequent abnormal behaviour benefits from the treatment? AO3

A

P: some rare characteristics may be positive but still classed as an abnormality
E: IQ scores of over 130 are just as unusual as scores under 70. Meaning it’s statistically unusual but doesn’t need treatment to bring back to normal
E: if statistical deviation is used alone then diagnosis may be invalid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

How is statistical infrequency culture bound? AO3

A

P: statistical infrequency is culturally specific
E: distribution curve may be effected by the culture the data was gathered from so will reflect the behaviour of that one culture
E: something which is statistically rare in one culture might not be in another

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Howcome the label of statistical infrequent abnormalities is not useful? AO3

A

P: there is no benefit to labelling someone as abnormal
E: someone with low IQ but is capable of working does not need to have a diagnosis of intellectual disability
E: if person is labelled as abnormal it may lead to a negative effect on how others and themselves view them.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What successful applications does deviation from ideal mental health have? AO3

A

P: practical application
E: allows participant and clinician to identify what criteria they do not meet and target them to help them recover
E: helps target treatment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

How is it very difficult to achieve self actualisation? AO3

A

P: difficult for anyone to achieve the standard
E: might have high self esteem and autonomy but not teacher their full potential, but they are perfectly happy and might one day reach their full potential
E: if clinicians use the definition then they might incorrectly label these people as abnormal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

How is Jahodas classification of ideal mental health culture bound? AO3

A

P: culturally specific
E: specific to Western Europe, independence and self actualisation are traits of individualistic cultures but not collectivist cultures
E: might not be able to use definition to diagnose abnormality in all cultures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

How is the criteria for ideal mental health very subjective? AO3

A

P: very subjective
E: impossible to actually test if someone has a accurate perception of reality therefore the judgement is open to interpretation and may incorrectly label someone as abnormal
E: may lead to abnormality being over/ under diagnosed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?

A
  • avoidance - physically adapting normal behaviour to avoid phobic objects
  • panic - an uncontrollable response e.g. screaming
  • failure to function - difficulty taking part in day to day activities
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?

A
  • anxiety - an uncomfortably high and persistent state of arousal
  • fear - intense emotional sensation of extreme and unpleasant alertness. Only subsides when phobic material is removed
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?

A
  • irrational thoughts - negative and irrational mental processes
  • reduced cognitive capacity - due to attentional focus on object
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What are the behavioural characteristics of depression?

A
  • reduced activity level
  • change in eating behaviour- weight gain or loss
  • aggression
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What are the emotional characteristics of depression?

A

Sadness - a persistent very low mood
Guilt - linked to helplessness / a feeling that they have no value

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What are the cognitive characteristics of depression?

A
  • poor concentration
  • negative schemas - automatic negative bias about themselves, the world and future
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD

A
  • compulsions - behaviours performed repeatedly to reduce anxiety
  • avoidance - take actions to avoid objects that trigger obsessions
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What are the emotional characteristics of OCD

A
  • anxiety - an uncomfortably high persistent state of arousal
  • depression - a consistent and long lasting sense of sadness
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?

A
  • Obsessions - intrusive, irrational, recurrent thoughts
  • Hyper vigilance - a permanent state of alertness, looking for the source of obsessive thoughts
36
Q

How are phobias acquired in the two process model?

A

Classical conditioning

37
Q

How are phobias maintained in the two process model?

A

Operant conditioning

38
Q

What are the evaluation points of the two process model? AO3

A

+ supporting evidence - little Albert
+ practical application - gilroy et al
- nature vs nurture
- oversimplistic

39
Q

What is the successful practical application of the two process model? AO3

A

P: successful practical application
E: gilroy et al - 42 patients treated in 3 45 minute sessions of systematic desensitisation followed up. At 3 and 33 months the SD group were less fearful than the control group ( treated without exposure)
E: if treatment is effective then the approach must be partially valid

40
Q

What is the supporting evidence of the two process model? AO3

A

P: supported by scientific evidence (Watson and Rayner)
E: little Albert was presented a rat while a metal pipe was banged creating the UCR of fear. After many times little Albert created the association between the rat and fear
E: demonstrates phobias are learned through classical conditioning

41
Q

How does the two process model take the nurture side of nature vs nurture? AO3

A

P: favours nurture side
E: suggests phobias are learned through experience suggesting nurture alone causes phobias
E: ignores evidence of phobias being caused by nature. We easily acquire phobias of things that would of been a source of danger in our evolutionary past

42
Q

How is the two process model oversimplistic? AO3

A

P: oversimplistic
E: phobias develop as a result of irrational thinking. Diathesis stress model suggest that the individual has a genetic disposition to phobias which is triggered by environmental stimuli
E: does not provide a holistic view

43
Q

What is reciprocal inhibition?

A

The idea that fear and relaxation cannot co exist as opposite emotions

44
Q

What is counter conditioning?

A

Replacing the dead association with a relaxation association

45
Q

What is systematic desensitisation?

A

First teaches relaxation techniques then progresses through an anxiety hierarchy. A stepped approach is used and the gradual exposure leads to extinction and a new association of relaxation is learned

46
Q

What is flooding?

A

Immediate and full exposure to maximum level of phobic stimulus causing temporary panic in the client. Patient is kept in contact with phobic stimulus until the temporary panic has stopped due to exhaustion

47
Q

What are the evaluation points of systematic desensitisation? AO3

A

+ supported by evidence gilroy et al
+ no side affects
- time consuming
- only works on some phobias

48
Q

What evidence is systematic desensitisation supported by? AO3

A

P: effective at treating simple phobias
E: gilroy et al followed up 42 patients who had been treated in 3 45 minute sessions 3 months and 33 months after the treatment. The SD group were less fearful than the Control group
E: if the treatment is effective then the theory it is based upon must be valid

49
Q

How come systematic desensitisation doesn’t have any side effects? AO3

A

P: no side effects
E: only focuses on learning so no biological side affects as there would be with medication
E: will not lead to patient experiencing additional difficulties

50
Q

How is systematic desensitisation time consuming? AO3

A

P: time consuming
E: requires trained professional to teach clients relaxation and then to develop an anxiety heirachy then to gradually expose them which can take many sessions
E: some people do not have time to give up so may be put off when compared to flooding

51
Q

Howcome systematic desensitisation only works with some phobias? AO3

A

P: only works with some phobias
E: not effective with social phobias where gradual exposure would not be possible
E: only able to treat some phobias not all

52
Q

What are the evaluation points of flooding? AO3

A

+ cost effective
+ less time consuming
- not suitable for all phobias
- traumatic experience

53
Q

How is flooding cost effective? AO3

A

P: it is atleast as effective as other treatments and is more cost effective
E: ougrin compared flooding and CBT, flooding is quicker at removing phobias ,typically one session, compared to 6-12 sessions of 1 hour CBT
E: patients are free of their symptoms faster and cheaper

54
Q

How is flooding less time consuming ? AO3

A

P: flooding takes less time than SD
E: SD takes 6-8 sessions whereas flooding only takes one
E: this is a strength as people might not be able to commit to many sessions of SD

55
Q

How is flooding not suitable for all phobias? AO3

A

P: less effective for more complex phobias
E: social phobias have cognitive aspects which would benefit more from cognitive therapies such as CBT
E: not effective as a treatment for all phobias

56
Q

How is flooding a traumatic experience? AO3

A

P: highly traumatic experience for patient
E: because patients are distressed and vulnerable the control is given to therapist so withdrawal may be delayed or the patient may feel pressured to stay
E: therefore flooding is considered unethical

57
Q

What does the cognitive approach argue depression is a result of?

A

Depression is due to irrational thoughts from maladaptive internal mental processes

58
Q

What are the 3 schemas in Beck’s negative triad?

A
  • the self
  • the world
  • the future
59
Q

When does the negative triad develop?

A

Develops in childhood but provides framework for persistent biases in adulthood leading to cognitive distortions, perceiving the world inaccurately

60
Q

What does ‘ABC’ stand for in Ellis’ model?

A

Activating event
Belief
Consequence

61
Q

What is mustabatory thinking?

A

Thinking the world must be a certain way

62
Q

What is the evaluation of Ellis’ ABC model? AO3

A

+ practical application REBT
- low explanatory power

63
Q

What successful application does Ellis’ ABC model have? AO3

A

P: successful treatment known as Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy
E: focuses on disputing the patients irrational thoughts replacing them with rational ones
E: greatly reduces symptoms of depression and better than anti depressants at reducing re lapse

64
Q

Why does Ellis’ ABC model have low explanatory power? AO3

A

P: cannot explain all forms of/ sub types of depression
E: other sub types of depression arise without any environmental trigger e.g. due to biochemical imbalance
E: only explains some sub types of depression

65
Q

What are the evaluation points of Becks negative triad? AO3

A

+ practical application
- low explanatory power

66
Q

What practical application does Becks triad have? AO3

A

P: led to successful treatment for depression
E: CBT reduces symptoms of depression better than anti depressants and are better at preventing relapse
E: this is a strength as CBT greatly reduces symptoms of depression and are are better at preventing relapse

67
Q

How does Beck’s triad have low explanatory power?

A

P: cannot explain all sub types of depression
E: although some cases of depression are linked to cognitions some are caused by hallucinations and delusions
E: Becks explanation only explains some sub types of depression

68
Q

How is becks CBT used to treat depression? 4 steps

A
  1. Patient learns to spot negative automatic thoughts
  2. Patient logically challenges these negative thoughts
  3. Clinician determines what basic beliefs the person has about themselves
  4. Patient uses diary to monitor events and identify situations in which negative thinking had occurred
69
Q

What does DEF stand for in Ellis’ ABC method

A

Dispute irrational thoughts
Effects of disputing
Feelings produced

70
Q

What does LEEP stand for when disputing in Ellis’ ABC model

A

Logical
Empirical
Effective
Pragmatic

71
Q

What does LEEP stand for when disputing in Ellis’ ABC model

A

Logical
Empirical
Effective
Pragmatic

72
Q

What are the evaluation points of the cognitive approach to treating depression? AO3

A

+ effective compared to drug treatment
+ supporting evidence March et al
- takes effort
- time consuming

73
Q

How is the cognitive approach effective compared to drug treatment in treating depression? AO3

A

P: evidence suggests it’s effective
E: Holon et al found that fewer depressed patients relapse after 12 weeks of CBT (40%) than taking drugs (45%)
E: suggests the treatment works

74
Q

What is the supporting evidence of the cognitive approach to treating depression? AO3

A

P: large body of evidence to support effectiveness of CBT
E: March et al - 329 adolescents. After 36 weeks, 81% of CBT group, 81% of anti depressant group and 86% of combined group has significantly improved
E: evidence that CBT is just as effective as drug treatment and effective when used alongside drugs

75
Q

How does the cognitive approach take effort in treating depression? AO3

A

P: takes more effort than biological therapies
E: patients may not be able to follow up the activities of CBT and some people may give up before it has had the chance to work
E: a symptom of depression is that people lack motivation so putting the effort in is very difficult

76
Q

How is the cognitive approach time consuming in treating depression? AO3

A

P: does not work quickly
E: CBT can take over a year so not appropriate for patients at risk of suicide
E: treatment is not appropriate for patients at risk of suicide

77
Q

What is the COMT gene?

A

COMT gene may contribute to OCD
regulates the production of dopamine
Lower activity in COMT gene means higher levels of dopamine

78
Q

What is the SERT gene?

A

Involved in depression
Affects the transport of serotonin creating lower levels of this neuro transmitter

79
Q

What are the evaluation points of the Genetic explaination of OCD? AO3

A

+ supported by evidence - Nestadt
- does not explain all cases of OCD
- reductionist

80
Q

What supporting evidence is there for the genetic explanation of OCD? AO3

A

P: supported by evidence
E: nestadt found that people with a first degree relative have 5x greater risk of having the illness
E: findings suggest OCD is inherited

81
Q

How does the genetic explanation of OCD not explain all cases? AO3

A

P: only partial evidence of OCD being linked to genetics
E: Goothrest et al - 70 years of twin studies. Concluded OCD is inheritable with genetic influence of 45-60%
E: weaker evidence for a genetic cause of OCD when it occurs in adults opposed to children

82
Q

How is the genetic explanation of OCD reductionism? AO3

A

P: ignores psychological causes such as environment
E: Cromer et al found that people with OCD had suffered a traumatic event in their past. The diathesis stress model suggest OCD is not caused by 1 factor but individual has a genetic pre disposition to OCD This is supported by concordance rate in twin studies not being 100%
E: approach is reductionist and too simplistic

83
Q

What are SSRI’s?

A

Selective Seratonin reuptake Inhibitors
Inhibit reuptake of serstonin at synapse so more seratonin is in the synoase

84
Q

What is GABA?

A

A neuro transmitter released when anti anxiety drugs are used.
Has a general quieting effect on the neurons in the brain.

85
Q

What are the evaluation points of the biological approach to treating OCD? AO3

A

+ supported by evidence soomro
+ less time and effort compared to CBT
- side effects
- treats symptoms isn’t a cure

Psychology Paper 1 (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions