Psychopathology Flashcards
What are the 4 definitions of abnormality?
- Statistical infrequency
- Deviation from social norms
- Failure to function adequately
- Deviation from ideal mental health
Define statistical infrequency
Person having less common characteristics e.g low IQ than most of population
Becks negative triad
Negative view of self, world and future
Cognitive explanation for depression
Faulty thinking/thought processes makes person vulnerable to and can cause depression.
Cognitive treatment for depression
CBT and REBT
CBT stages
Initial assessment where problems are identified, set goals and plan of action to achieve them. 6 weekly 1 hour sessions. Patient given ‘homework’
REBT
Ellis’. Initial assessment and identify problems and goals however then uses empirical argument and logical argument to challenge irrational thoughts
4 definitions of abnormality
Statistical infrequency, deviation from social norms, failure to function adequately, and deviation from ideal mental health
Deviation from ideal mental health
Jahoda. Absence of 6 particular characteristics e.g positive view of self and resistant to stress
Deviation from social norms
Behavhour seen as abnormal if it violates unwritten rules about what is acceptable in society
Drug therapy of OCD
SSRI’s increase level of serotonin in synapse and result in more serotonin being recieved by the cell. Quieting influence on brain so reduces anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts
Ellis ABC model
A: activating event e.g friend ignored you
B: belief e.g they hate me
C: consequences e.g emotional irrational unhealthy outcomes like blocking them
Failure to function adequately
Considered abnormal if person is unable to cope with demands of everyday life and live independently
Flooding
Exposed to most frightening situation immediately. Unable to avoid (negatively reinforce) their phobia.
COMT gene in OCD
COMT responsible for clearing dopamine from synapses, low activity of COMT associated with OCD
SERT gene in OCD
Affects transport of serotonin and can cause lower levels of it which is associated with OCD
Polygenic
OCD is believed to be a polygenic condition, meaning several genes are involved
Neural explanation to OCD
Lowest levels of neurotransmitter serotonin (possibly caused by SERT) are associated with OCD
Operant conditioning: phobias
Phobias can be negatively reinforced. Behaviour is strengthened because unpleasant consequence is removed e.g avoiding phobic stimulus
Statistical infrequency
Behaviour seen as abnormal if it’s statistically uncommon
Systematic desensitisation stages
1) fear hierarchy
2) relaxation training
3) reciprocal inhibition
Two-process model phobias
Phobias are initiated through classical conditioning (association) and are maintained through operant conditioning (negative reinforcement)
