Psychopathology Flashcards
Describe and evaluate the biological approach to OCD (AO1)
- Genetics - diathesis-stress model
- candidate genes -create vulnerability
- polygenic - not caused by a single gene, Taylor found 230 genes, linked to serotonin and dopamine mostly
- origin of OCD has different causes - Neural explanations - serotonin - low levels
- impaired decision making - abnormal funtioning of frontal lobe.
Describe and evaluate the biological approach to OCD (AO3)
- Genetics - Twin studies -Nedstadt et al - 68% identical to 31% non identical
- too many candidate genes - Taylor 230
- nature - too much emphasis, what about nurture? Cromer et al - over half of patients had a traumatic event - Neural explanations - drug treatment does work - SSRIS
- correlation not causation
Describe and evaluate the biological approach to the treatment of OCD (AO1)
- SSRI’s - anti-depressants that increase levels of serotonin at the synapse
- Combining SSRI’s with other treatments - combine with CBT or other drugs (fluoxetine)
- Alternative drugs - Tricyclics (Clomipramine) - same effect but severe side effects
- SNRI’s - same effect but also increases noradrenaline
Describe and evaluate the biological approach to the treatment of OCD (AO3)
- Effective at tackling symptoms - superior to placebos - Soomro et al 17 studies and SSRI’s always better
- Cost-effective - cheap compared to psychological treatments
- Side effects - indigestion, blurred vision and loss of sex drive HOWEVER are usually temporary
- Clomipramine - agression, disruption to blood pressure, tremors etc
Statistical Infrequency
AO1 - numerically unusual behaviour or characteristic
- Intellectual disability disorder - IQ below 70 is part of the diagnosis of IDD
AO3 - simple means of assessing patients
- unusual characteristics can be positive and dont need treatment
- labels don’t benefit everyone- some people have a low IQ and can function like that
Deviation from social norms
AO1 - social judgements about what is acceptable
- norms are culture specific
- anti-social personality disorder - impulsive, agressive, irresponsible
AO3 - cultural relativism -unfair to judge someone from another culture
- can lead to human rights abuse
Failure to function adequately
AO1 - failing to cope with demands of everyday life
- Rosenhan and Seligman - 1) unpredictability, 2) maladaptive behaviour, 3) irrationality, etc
AO3 - attempts to include patients perspective
- distinction between deviation from social norms? -alternative lifestyles may be an example of both
- subjective judgements- who has the right to make the judgement?
Deviation from ideal mental health
AO1 - Jahoda considered normality rather than abnormality
- 1) have no symptoms or distress
2) are rational and can perceive ourselves correctly
3) self-actualise
4) can cope with stress, etc
AO3 - comprehensive definition
- cultural relativism
- unrealistically high standards - few people achieve all or even most of the ideals
Describe and evaluate the behavioural approach to explaining phobias (AO3)
- Treatment - systematic desensitisation and flooding work
- not to avoid phobic stimulus but to stick with safety?
- Buck - some agoraphobia patients can leave house with ‘safe’ person - some phobias don’t follow trauma - incomplete explanation
Describe and evaluate CBT for depression (AO1)
- identify goals and put together a plan to achieve them- identify negative thoughts and challenge them
- Beck - identify negative triad - identify and test the reality of these thoughts - set homework so they can look back at them
- Ellis - REBT - adds DE = dispute and effect
- change the irrational belief to break the link between negative life and depression - Behavioural activation
