Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

A Level: Psychology > Psychopathology > Flashcards

Psychopathology Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards AP® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

Define statistical deviation

A

It is mathematical and occurs rarely. This abnormality is based on infrequency

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How is someone statistically infrequent

Name an example

A

If they don’t fall within the average of the rest of the population

Albert Einstein

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is an advantage of statistical deviation

A

It’s an objective measurement

There is no opinion involved which means there is no bias- better than the subjective definition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are two disadvantages of statistical deviation

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Define deviation from social norms

Give an example

A

Behaviour that is different from accepted standards of behaviour

Walked around with no clothes on

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Evaluate deviation from social norms: two disadvantages

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Define failure to function adequately

A

When a person may cross the line between normal and abnormal. The experience severe personal distress and can be considered a danger to themselves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Evaluate failure to function adequately

A

✅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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Define cultural relativism

A

Norms and values can only be understood and meaningful when considered within its real cultural context

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Define deviation from ideal mental health

A

When someone does not meet the set of criteria set by Jahoda for good mental health

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Who set the criteria for good mental health

A

Jahoda

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Name four of the criteria for ideal mental health

A

Name any 4 of:

High self esteem
Personal growth
Independence 
Accurate perception of reality
Resistance to stress 
Environmental mastery
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is a strength of ideal mental health

A

It is comprehensive
Covers a broad range of criteria
Making it a good tool

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Name two limitations of ideal mental health

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Name 2 behavioural characteristics of phobias

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Name two emotional characteristics of phobias

A

Anxiety- sufferer struggles to relax

Excessive fear- unreasonable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Name two cognitive characteristics of phobias

A

Selective attention to the phobic stimulus- struggle to look away from it

Irrational beliefs in relation to the phobic stimulus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Name the model used to describe how a fear is acquired and maintained

A

Two- process model

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Explain the two process model

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Briefly state all the evaluation points for phobias

A

✅supporting evidence: Watson and raynor

✅good explanatory power

❌biological preparedness

❌ignores cognitive factors

❌diathesis stress model

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the good explanatory power which the two process model has

A

It went beyond Watson and raynors concept of classical conditioning, explaining how phobias can be maintained over time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Describe biological preparedness

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Describe ‘ignores cognitive factors’

A

People may have irrational thoughts which create extreme anxiety and may trigger a phobia

Led to development of cognitive therapies CBT

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Explain the diathesis-stress model

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Name the two treatments for phobias

A

1) flooding

2) systematic densensitisation

26
Q

What is flooding

A

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

27
Q

Evaluate flooding

A

✅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

28
Q

Describe systematic desensitisation

A

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)

29
Q

Evaluate systematic desensitisation

A

✅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

30
Q

What are the two types of depression

A

Unipolar and bipolar

31
Q

How is a person diagnosed with depression

A

They just meet 5 symptoms every day for at least two weeks, these are layed out in the DSM-V

32
Q

Name 3 behavioural characteristics of depression

A

Lack of energy and pleasure in all activities

Disruption to sleep and eating behaviour

Aggression and self harm

33
Q

Name two emotional characteristics of depression

A

Depressed lowered mood

Lowered self esteem

34
Q

Name two cognitive characteristics of depression

A

Inability to concentrate

Negative thoughts

35
Q

Describe becks cognitive triad theory of depression

A

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
36
Q

What is ABC model

A

A cognitive approach understanding mental disorders focusing on the effect of IRRATIONAL beliefs on emotions

37
Q

Describe Ellis ABC model of depression

A

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

38
Q

Evaluate the cognitive explanation for depression

A

✅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

39
Q

What is CBT

A

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

40
Q

What is the aim of REBT

A

To turn irrational thoughts into rational ones

41
Q

What is the name of the therapy developed by Ellis

A

Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy

42
Q

How does Ellis therapy REBT challenge irrational thoughts

A

Dispute= teaches the patient to challenge irrational thoughts and beliefs

Patients get homework tasks which gets them to identify there own irrational beliefs

43
Q

Name the three types of disputing

A

Logical(reasoned)
Emprical(factual)
Pragmatic(practical

44
Q

Explain the evidence supporting cognitive therapies

A

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

45
Q

Explain the limitations of cognitive therapies

A

❌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

46
Q

What are the characteristics of OCD

A

Behaviour- compulsions
Repetitive behaviour

Emotional- anxiety
Depression
Guilt

Cognitive- obsessive persistent thoughts

47
Q

What is the genetic explanation

A

Refers to the view that genes make up chromosomes and consist of DNA which codes the physical features

48
Q

What is the role of the COMT gene

A

Regulated production of dopamine which has been linked to OCD

49
Q

What is the role of the SERT gene

A

Gene which affects transport of serotonin creating lower levels of this neurotransmitter

Low levels of serotonin has been linked to OCD

50
Q

What is the supporting evidence for the genetic explanation of OCD

Criticise this

A

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

51
Q

Give a disadvantage of the genetic explanation to OCD

A

Diathesis stress model

Genetic vulnerability which is triggered by environmental factors

52
Q

Wha is the neural explanation for OCD

A

The view that physical and psychological characteristics are determined by the behaviour of the nervous system

53
Q

Which part of the brain is involved in OCD

A

The orbital frontal cortex

Which is involved in logical thinking and making decisions

54
Q

What is the supporting evidence for the frontal lobe

A

PET scans of patients with OCD taken while there symptoms were active show greater activity in the OFC

55
Q

Name two criticisms of the neural explanation

A

❌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

56
Q

How is OCD treated

A

Using drug therapy

57
Q

Name two of the drugs involved in drug therapy of OCD

A

SSRIs

BZs

58
Q

Describe SSRIs

A 
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
59
Q

Describe BZs

A

Benzodiazepines
Anti anxiety drugs
Valium and diazepam
Enhance the action of GABA neurotransmitter
Which tells neurons in the brain to slow downs

60
Q

Evaluate biological treatments of OCD

A

✅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…)

A Level: Psychology (11 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions