Psychopathology Flashcards
Define statistical deviation
It is mathematical and occurs rarely. This abnormality is based on infrequency
How is someone statistically infrequent
Name an example
If they don’t fall within the average of the rest of the population
Albert Einstein
What is an advantage of statistical deviation
It’s an objective measurement
There is no opinion involved which means there is no bias- better than the subjective definition
What are two disadvantages of statistical deviation
1) Some abnormal behaviour is desirable
Eg being overly intelligent does not require treatment it is desirable
2) the problem of being labelled
There are negative associations with labels
Negative effect on the way that others view them and the way they view themselves
Define deviation from social norms
Give an example
Behaviour that is different from accepted standards of behaviour
Walked around with no clothes on
Evaluate deviation from social norms: two disadvantages
Cultural relativism- social norms vary from culture to culture
Human rights abuses- deviance from social norms to understand abnormality can lead to the abuse of human rights
Define failure to function adequately
When a person may cross the line between normal and abnormal. The experience severe personal distress and can be considered a danger to themselves
Evaluate failure to function adequately
✅includes subjective experience:
Acknowledges the experiences of the patient is important
🚨cultural relativism
What can be considered failing to function may differ from culture to culture
Define cultural relativism
Norms and values can only be understood and meaningful when considered within its real cultural context
Define deviation from ideal mental health
When someone does not meet the set of criteria set by Jahoda for good mental health
Who set the criteria for good mental health
Jahoda
Name four of the criteria for ideal mental health
Name any 4 of:
High self esteem Personal growth Independence Accurate perception of reality Resistance to stress Environmental mastery
What is a strength of ideal mental health
It is comprehensive
Covers a broad range of criteria
Making it a good tool
Name two limitations of ideal mental health
Cultural relativism
-jahodas classification is specific to western culture (based on the individual)
Unrealistically high standard
-jahodas statements are vague and so are difficult to measure
Name 2 behavioural characteristics of phobias
Panic- in response to the presence of a phobic stimulus
Avoidance- go to lots of trouble trying to avoid coming into contact with the phobic stimulus
Name two emotional characteristics of phobias
Anxiety- sufferer struggles to relax
Excessive fear- unreasonable
Name two cognitive characteristics of phobias
Selective attention to the phobic stimulus- struggle to look away from it
Irrational beliefs in relation to the phobic stimulus
Name the model used to describe how a fear is acquired and maintained
Two- process model
Explain the two process model
Acquired- classsical conditioning
Learn to associate something with something that triggers a fear response
Maintained- operant conditioning
Avoiding the phobic stimulus
Strengthening the fear itself
Briefly state all the evaluation points for phobias
✅supporting evidence: Watson and raynor
✅good explanatory power
❌biological preparedness
❌ignores cognitive factors
❌diathesis stress model
What is the good explanatory power which the two process model has
It went beyond Watson and raynors concept of classical conditioning, explaining how phobias can be maintained over time
Describe biological preparedness
Fails to consider the role of biology
Humans and animals are genetically predisposed to rapidly learn an association between potentially life threatening stimulus and fear
Describe ‘ignores cognitive factors’
People may have irrational thoughts which create extreme anxiety and may trigger a phobia
Led to development of cognitive therapies CBT
Explain the diathesis-stress model
We inherit a genetic vulnerability ( diathesis ) for developing certain mental disorders- this will only develop and manifest itself if triggered by a real life event
Name the two treatments for phobias
1) flooding
2) systematic densensitisation
What is flooding
Exposing the phobic patients to their phobic stimulus but without general build up
The patient learns that the phobic stimulus is harmless
Also known as extinction
Evaluate flooding
✅cost effective
Highly effective and quicker making it less expensive
❌ less effective for some types of phobias
Those which have a cognitive element
❌individual differences
Some orients may suffer that much trauma that they wish not to continue- which is a waste of time and money
Describe systematic desensitisation
Also known as counter conditioning
Works on the idea of reciprocal inhibition (can’t be both anxious and relaxed at the same time)
Includes: relaxation
Constructing an anxiety hierarchy
Exposure (gradual)
Evaluate systematic desensitisation
✅supporting evidence: Gilroy
42 patients treated for spider phobia in three sessions of SD- showed less fear than control group
✅ suitable for a wider range of orients
Disabled people might find flooding too upsetting
✅less traumatic than flooding
Patient is gradually exposed- some people find flooding too much to handle
What are the two types of depression
Unipolar and bipolar
How is a person diagnosed with depression
They just meet 5 symptoms every day for at least two weeks, these are layed out in the DSM-V
Name 3 behavioural characteristics of depression
Lack of energy and pleasure in all activities
Disruption to sleep and eating behaviour
Aggression and self harm
Name two emotional characteristics of depression
Depressed lowered mood
Lowered self esteem
Name two cognitive characteristics of depression
Inability to concentrate
Negative thoughts
Describe becks cognitive triad theory of depression
1) negative self schemes
Packages of information developed through experience - usually developed in childhood
2) cognitive bias
Over generalisations and over catastrophising situations
3) the negative triad Negative and irrational views of ourself, three components: The self The world The future
What is ABC model
A cognitive approach understanding mental disorders focusing on the effect of IRRATIONAL beliefs on emotions
Describe Ellis ABC model of depression
A=Activating event
Something occurs which begins the cycle
B= Beliefs
The person interprets the belief either rationally or irrationally
C=Consequences
Rational beliefs lead to healthy outcomes
Irrational beliefs lead to unhealthy emotional outcomes ie depression
Evaluate the cognitive explanation for depression
✅application to therapy
Been used to develop effective treatments for depression including CBT and REBT
❌cause and effect
Does not explain the origin of irrational thoughts as most of the research is correlational
❌alternative explanations- biology
Fails to consider the role of biology ie could serotonin and genes influence depression
❌blames patient rather than situation
Suggests person is responsible rather than the situation
What is CBT
Cognitive behaviour therapy
- a cognitive therapy which changes irrational thoughts and belief and it also is a way of behavioural therapy which changes the behaviour in response to these thoughts
What is the aim of REBT
To turn irrational thoughts into rational ones
What is the name of the therapy developed by Ellis
Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy
How does Ellis therapy REBT challenge irrational thoughts
Dispute= teaches the patient to challenge irrational thoughts and beliefs
Patients get homework tasks which gets them to identify there own irrational beliefs
Name the three types of disputing
Logical(reasoned)
Emprical(factual)
Pragmatic(practical
Explain the evidence supporting cognitive therapies
March
Found CBT to be just as effective as anti depressants in treating depression depression
Eg 81% of the antidepressant group and 81% of the CBT group had significantly in proved
Explain the limitations of cognitive therapies
❌required motivation
A person with severe depression struggles to motivate themselves
❌fails to consider the role of biology
Genes and neurotransmitters (serotonin n dopamine)
❌blames patient rather than situation
Suggests that it is the person who is responsible for their illness - tends to overlook situational factors
What are the characteristics of OCD
Behaviour- compulsions
Repetitive behaviour
Emotional- anxiety
Depression
Guilt
Cognitive- obsessive persistent thoughts
What is the genetic explanation
Refers to the view that genes make up chromosomes and consist of DNA which codes the physical features
What is the role of the COMT gene
Regulated production of dopamine which has been linked to OCD
What is the role of the SERT gene
Gene which affects transport of serotonin creating lower levels of this neurotransmitter
Low levels of serotonin has been linked to OCD
What is the supporting evidence for the genetic explanation of OCD
Criticise this
Nestadt- twin studies
68% of MZ twins shared OCD
31% of DZ twins shared OCD
Concordance rate is never 100% which means that environmental factors must also play a role
Give a disadvantage of the genetic explanation to OCD
Diathesis stress model
Genetic vulnerability which is triggered by environmental factors
Wha is the neural explanation for OCD
The view that physical and psychological characteristics are determined by the behaviour of the nervous system
Which part of the brain is involved in OCD
The orbital frontal cortex
Which is involved in logical thinking and making decisions
What is the supporting evidence for the frontal lobe
PET scans of patients with OCD taken while there symptoms were active show greater activity in the OFC
Name two criticisms of the neural explanation
❌Cause and effect
Just because certain structures of the brain do not function normally in patients with OCD does not mean that this is what causes the OCD
❌alternative explanations
Other plausible explanations: two process model
How is OCD treated
Using drug therapy
Name two of the drugs involved in drug therapy of OCD
SSRIs
BZs
Describe SSRIs
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors Antidepressant drugs Eg Prozac They prevent the re-absorption and the breakdown of serotonin which increases the levels of serotonin in the synapse Reducing symptoms of OCD
Describe BZs
Benzodiazepines
Anti anxiety drugs
Valium and diazepam
Enhance the action of GABA neurotransmitter
Which tells neurons in the brain to slow downs
Evaluate biological treatments of OCD
✅supporting evidence: Soomoro
SSRIs all 17 studies showed better results when using SSRIs, effectiveness is greatest when when combined with CBT
❌symptoms not the cause
Treats the symptoms and not the cause
❌cost effective - cheaper than CBT
❌ side effects (addiction…)
