Psychopathology Flashcards
What is Statistical Infrequency?
Abnormal if rare (e.g., schizophrenia: ~1% of the population).
Used in clinical diagnosis.
What is a limitation of Statistical Infrequency?
Assumes all rare traits are negative (e.g., high IQ).
What does Failure to Function Adequately refer to?
Inability to lead a normal life.
Accounts for personal distress.
What is a limitation of Failure to Function Adequately?
Labels people unnecessarily, leading to stigma.
How is abnormality defined in Deviation from Social Norms?
Abnormality as culturally inappropriate behavior.
Explains cultural differences in diagnosis.
What is a limitation of Deviation from Social Norms?
Culturally biased (e.g., hearing voices = spiritual in some cultures, schizophrenia in others).
What are the criteria in Deviation from Ideal Mental Health?
Mental health criteria: self-actualization, self-esteem, rational stress coping.
Holistic approach.
What is a limitation of Deviation from Ideal Mental Health?
Unrealistic: most people don’t meet all criteria.
What are the behavioral characteristics of Phobias?
Panic, avoidance, endurance.
What are the emotional characteristics of Phobias?
Anxiety, irrational fear.
What are the cognitive characteristics of Phobias?
Selective attention, irrational beliefs, cognitive distortions.
What are the behavioral characteristics of Depression?
Low/high activity levels, aggression, eating/sleep disturbances.
What are the emotional characteristics of Depression?
Low mood, low self-esteem, anger.
What are the cognitive characteristics of Depression?
Absolutist thinking, poor concentration, focus on negatives.
What is the Two-Process Model in relation to Phobias?
Acquired via classical conditioning (e.g., Little Albert – loud bang + rat = fear).
Maintained via operant conditioning (negative reinforcement = avoidance).
What is a limitation of the Two-Process Model?
Alternative explanation: evolutionary preparedness (Seligman – fear of ancestral threats).
What is Systematic Desensitization?
Counterconditioning via anxiety hierarchy + relaxation.
Effective (Gilroy et al., 2003 – 42 patients showed reduced symptoms vs. control).
What is a limitation of Systematic Desensitization?
Takes time.
What is Flooding in the context of phobia treatment?
Immediate, prolonged exposure to phobic stimulus.
Cost-effective (Ougrin – quicker than CBT).
What is a limitation of Flooding?
Not effective for social phobias (cognitive aspect).
What is Beck’s Cognitive Theory?
Cognitive vulnerability: Faulty processing, negative schemas, cognitive triad (negative views of self, world, future).
Supported (Grazioli & Terry – high cognitive vulnerability → postnatal depression).
What is a limitation of Beck’s Cognitive Theory?
Doesn’t explain all depression symptoms (e.g., hallucinations).
What is Ellis’s ABC Model?
Activating event → Belief (irrational) → Consequences (depression).
Basis for therapy.
What is a limitation of Ellis’s ABC Model?
Only explains depression with a clear trigger (reactive depression).
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
Beck’s CBT: Identifies and challenges negative thoughts. Ellis’s REBT: Challenges irrational beliefs through vigorous argument.
Effective (March et al. – 81% improved with CBT, 86% with CBT + antidepressants).
What are limitations of CBT?
Not suitable for severe cases. Focuses on present, ignoring past trauma.
What does the Genetics (Diathesis-Stress Model) suggest about OCD?
OCD runs in families (Lewis – 37% of OCD patients had affected parents).
Twin studies (Nestadt et al. – 68% concordance in MZ twins vs. 31% in DZ twins).
What are limitations of the Genetics (Diathesis-Stress Model)?
Too many candidate genes (>230 – Taylor). Ignores environmental triggers (Cromer et al. – trauma increases OCD risk).
What are the Neural Explanations for OCD?
Low serotonin → faulty emotional regulation. Hyperactive basal ganglia → compulsions.
SSRIs effective, supporting role of serotonin.
What is a limitation of Neural Explanations for OCD?
Correlation ≠ causation.
What is Drug Therapy for OCD?
SSRIs increase serotonin levels by blocking reuptake.
Cost-effective.
What are limitations of Drug Therapy for OCD?
Side effects (e.g., Clomipramine – weight gain, aggression, tremors). Drugs don’t cure, only manage symptoms.
