Psychopathology

Question 1

What are the 4 ways to define abnormality?

Answer 1

Statistical infrequency
Deviation from social norms
Deviation from ideal mental health
Failure to function adequately

Question 2

What is statistical infrequency?

Answer 2

It’s behaviour which is not common. When plotted on a normal distribution curve, statistical infrequency occurs in the top and bottom 2%.

Question 3

Practical application of Statistical infrequency: what is intellectual disability disorder ?

Answer 3

Problems in both intellectual and adaptive functioning
Assessed with an exam, low IQ around 70-75 shows limited intellectual functioning

Question 4

Practical application of Statistical infrequency: what is intellectual disability disorder ?

Answer 4

Problems in both intellectual and adaptive functioning
Assessed with an exam, low IQ around 70-75 shows limited intellectual functioning

Question 5

Advantages of statistical infrequency

Answer 5

Objective to define abnormal behaviour
Can be used to predict normal development of children
Standardised testing

Question 6

Disadvantages of statistical infrequency

Answer 6

Rare behaviour might be desirable- high IQ
Doesn’t account for cultural differences- religion believe it’s normal to hear God
Ignores common maladaptive behaviours - anxiety and depression

Question 7

What is Deviation from social norms ?

Answer 7

Social normals are expected behavioural traits but those who deviate could be said to be abnormal

Question 8

What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD ?

Answer 8

Compulsive repeated behaviour

Question 9

What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD ?

Answer 9

Irrational thoughts, intrusive thoughts

Question 10

What are the emotional characteristics of OCD ?

Answer 10

Anxiety and temporary relief from doing rituals

Question 11

What are the genetic explanations for OCD ?

Answer 11

Clifford - in 419 twins, 50% MZ twins shared OCD gene compared to 26% DZ twins sharing OCD gene

Taylor- OCD is polygenic -230 genes involved

Lewis - found that 37% of patients with OCD their parents also had it

Question 12

What are the neurological explanations of OCD ?

Answer 12

Lateral frontal lobe - if damage leads to irrational thoughts

Parahippocampl gyrus- responsible for regulation of anxiety

Lower levels of serotonin lead to someone feeling more anxious which leads to OCD

Question 13

Evaluation of both genetic and neurological explanations of OCD

Answer 13

• Practical application - drugs are effective when reducing symptoms
• no cause and effect with levels of serotonin
• no common faulty brain structures
• Deterministic

Question 14

Biological solutions of OCD

Answer 14

Drug therapy which aims to reduce OCD symptoms. SSRIs block the re-uptake at the presynaptic neurone,
Increased post synaptic potential lowering anxiety

Question 15

What are the behavioural characteristics of Phobias ?

Answer 15

Panic
Avoidance
Endurance

Question 16

What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias ?

Answer 16

Irrational thoughts
Cognitive distortions

Question 17

What are the emotional characteristics of phobias ?

Answer 17

Anxiety
Unpleasant state of arousal

Question 18

What is the two process model

Answer 18

Phobia is learnt through classical conditioning
And then reinforced/ maintained though operate conditioning

Question 19

What is systemic desensitisation ?

Answer 19

Slow process of reducing phobia

1- make relaxation techniques
2 - anxiety hierarchy
3- work from the bottom to the top

Question 20

Evaluation of systematic desensitisation.

Answer 20

Gradual exposure - more ethical
Expensive
Deals with the cause of phobia
Difficult to access

Question 21

What is flooding ?

Answer 21

Immediate exposure the the phobic stimulus

Question 22

Evaluation of flooding.

Answer 22

Deals with cause of phobia
More cost effective
Unethical - Wolpe - hospitalisation

Question 23

What are the behavioural characteristics of Depression ?

Answer 23

Shift in energy
Insomnia or oversleeping
Change in appetite

Question 24

What are the cognitive characteristics of Depression ?

Answer 24

Delusions
Reduced concentration
Irrational thoughts
Biased recall of events

Question 25

What are the emotional characteristics of Depression ?

Answer 25

Anger
Sadness
Loss of interest in hobbies
Worthlessness

Question 26

What is Becks Theory of depression ?

Answer 26

When someone is depressed they have negative aspects of Situations

A negative schema leads to interpretation of information in the wrong way

Three types of negative thinking : negative view of the world,
Of the self and of the future

Question 27

What is Ellis’s ABC model of Depression?

Answer 27

Believes irrational thoughts affect behaviour by having an Activating event Belief and then Consequence.

Question 28

Evaluation of cognitive explanations of depression.

Answer 28

Cohen - studied depression in teens found cognitive vulnerabilities

Face validity

CBT AND REBT have applications to therapy

Doesn’t explain origins of irrational thoughts

Genes may cause a predisposition to depression

Question 29

Becks cognitive behavioural therapy

Answer 29

Patient and therapist work together to challenge irrational thoughts Eg asking them to write down their thoughts and challenge them

Question 30

Ellis’s REBT

Answer 30

Therapist tries to seek evidence for the behaviours and tries to lift with them and then make a new belief

Question 31

how does March support CBT and depression?

Answer 31

327 teens
Three groups : CBT, Drugs and both
The CBT group and the drugs group had 81% success rate but both drugs and CBT have 86%