Psychopathology Flashcards
What is psychopathy?
scientific studies of psychological disorders (mental illnesses)
Define social norms
rules that a society has about what are acceptable behaviours, values and beliefs. Can be explicit (laws) or implicit (unspoken). People who violate such norms are abnormal.
What are the ways in which people are classed as abnormal?
- Deviation from social norms
- statistical frequency
- Failure to function adequately
- Deviation from ideal mental health (Jahoda)
Evaluate deviation from social norms?
- Social norms are not stable- homosexuality removed in 1973. GID added in 2013
- Deviance is applied by context (definition should be added in all circumstances)
- Culture bias is an issue as major diagnostics made by W.E.I.R.D tea, (western, educated, industrialised, rich, democratic)
- Gender bias, research done mainly by/for/with men
Define statistical frequency
A person would be considered abnormal if they were found to be numerically rare. What is regarded as rare depends on normal distribution, anyone else is abnormal (5% of population, 2 standard deviations)
What is the DSM-V
Diagnostic and statistical manual (of mental disorders)
- currently on 5th edition
- lists all mental disorders and how to test
- written by American psychological association (APA)
Define cultural relativism in the context of psychopathy
refers to differences and behaviours between and within cultures.
Define failure to function adequately
People with psychological disorders have an inability to cope with everyday activities. Therefore classed as abnormal.
Cannot maintain a jon and behaviours causes distress to themselves or others.
What is humanistic psychology?
- Humanism is a modern secular belief system that treats human experiences as the ultimate source of meaning.
- Humanist healthcares uses a “person centered approach” the patient’s subjective feelings are what matters
- Rejects objective scientific attempts.
- Accounts for cultural relativism by considering individuals happiness
What is deviation from ideal mental health?
- Proposed by Jahoda (1958)
- Found 6 major criteria for optimal living.
- Anyone lacking any of these these are considered abnormal
What are Jahoda’s 6 criteria for ideal mental health?
1) Self-attitudes= having high self-esteem and a strong sense of identity.
2) Self-actualisation= the extent to which an individual develops theri full capabilities
3) Integration= being able to cope with stressful situations
4) Autonomy= being independent and self-reliant and able to make personal decisions
5) accurate perception of reality= Having an objective and realistic view of the world
6) Mastery of the environment= being competent in all aspects of life and being able to meet demands of any situations
Define phobia
Mental disorders within the anxiety disorders. Phobias are an irrational fear of an object or situation. This interferes with normal living.
What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?
- Extreme fear
- Worry
What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?
- Ruminate (keep going over it)
- Catastrophize (imagining catastrophe)
What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?
- Avoidance
- Panic/ anger (fight or flight)
What is the 2 process model - Mowrer (1947)?
- Describes the combination of both conditioning types (classic + operant)
- The 2 process model assumes phobias result from learning
- Patients must have associated something neutral with a traumatic consequence
- Strengthened through -ve reinforcement
How can SLT create a phobia
Children see their parents being scared of something and identify and imitate with them,
Also vicarious reinforcement as see parents happy after avoiding it so also want to feel that
What is flooding?
Sudden exposure of the patient to the stimulus, until the anxiety is extinguished.
Define counterconditioning
Learning a new response to a phobia (relaxation instead of anxiety)
Define reciprocal inhibition
The idea that you cannot feel afraid and relaxed at the same time, meaning 1 emotion prevents the other.
What is systematic desensitisation
1) Agreeing a hierarchy
2) Teach relaxation techniques
3) Gradual exposure to feared stimulus using hierarchy
Reciprocal inhibition occurs
Causes counterconditioning
What alternative treatments are there for phobias?
Drugs e.g. BZ’s
They have unpleasant side effects like feeling lethargic, can’t concentrate, sleeping
What are the emotional characteristics of depression?
Avolition (low motivation)
Helpless/hopeless (Isolated)
Anhedonia (feeling emotionally numb)
What are the cognitive characteristics of depression?
Catastrophise
Ruminate
Suicidal ideation
What are the behavioural characteristics of depression?
Self harm
Insomnia/hypersomnia
Change in appetite
Avoidance
What is depression?
What is a mood disorder, characterised by low mood and low energy levels. Caused by irrational thinking
What is Ellis’ ABC model (1962)?
Irrational beliefs are due to musturbatory thinking.
Musturbatory thinking= thinking that certain ideas must be true for someone to be happy
Normal thinking= Activating event -> rational belief -> consequence
Depressed thinking= irrational belief instead of rational belief
What is Beck’s negative triad (1967)?
Perception of self, perception of world and perception of future are all linked. Negative thinking leads to negative triad.
What is CBT?
CBT is a talking therapy that aims to identify irrational core beliefs and uses practical activities to challenge and change them.
CBT assists patients to identify irrational thoughts and change them.
As behaviour is seen as being generated by thinking, the most logical and effective way of changing maladaptive behaviour is to change the irrational thinking underlying it.
Therefore CBT involves cognitive and behavioural elements. Cognitive- identifying and challenging irrational thoughts. behavioural- once cognitive part is done, coping strategies are developed.
What is Ellis’ REBT?
Her ABC was extended to include D,E and F.
D_isputing irrational cognitions
E_ffects of disputing/effective attitudes
F_eelings that result from the process
- aim to identify core beliefs
- dispute the irrational cognitions
- discuss and rationalise emotions
What are the principles of CBT?
Homework- set patients tasks between sessions to challenge irrational beliefs, they must be accessible and agreed.
Behavioural activation- activity is physiologically and psychologically rewarding.
unconditional positive regard (UPR)- patients who feel valued and trusted are more motivated
What are the genetic explanation in explaining OCD?
COMT gene: may contribute to OCD. (catechol-o-mehtyl transferase (COMT) regulates the production of dopamine that has been implicated in OCD. An allele of the COMT gene has been common in OCD patients. this variation lowers activity of COMT gene and higher levels of dopamine.
SERT gene: 5-HTT (SERT) affects the transport of serotonin, creating lower levels of it
Define diathesis stress?
There is not one specific gene that causes OCD. Each gene creates a vulnerability ( a diathesis) for OCD. Other factors (stressors) affect what condition develops.
Define concordance rate
Measure of genetic similarity
What are the neural explanations in explaining OCD?
Abnormal levels of neurotransmitters- dopamine is too high and serotonin is too low.
Abnormal brain circuits- The caudate nucleus (located is basal ganglia) normally suppresses signals from orbirtofrontal cortex (OFC). OFC sends signals to thalamus about what to worry about. When the caudate nucleus is damaged it fails to suppress OFC- creating a worry circuit.
What do SSRIs do?
Most commonly used drug for OCD and depression. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the preferred drug for treating anxiety disorders. They increase serotonin levels.
Serotonin is released into a synapse from one neuron. it targets receptor cells on the receiving neuron and afterwards is reabsorbed by the initial neuron. The SSRI inhibits the re-uptake.
What do tricyclics do?
Block the transporter mechanism that re-absorbs both serotonin and noradrenaline into the pre-synaptic cell after it has fired. prolonging activity and easing transmission of next impulse.
- target more than one neurotransmitter
- used as second line treatment after SSRIs due to nasty side effects.
What do benzodiazepines (BZs) do?
Commonly used to reduce anxiety. they are manufactured under various names (e.g. xanax) they slow down the activity of the CNS by enhancing GABA, which quiets brain neurons.
Does this by reacting with GABA receptors on the outside of receiving neurons. When GABA locks into receptors it opens a channel that increases flow of chloride ions into the neuron (chloride makes it harder for it to be stimulated by other neurotransmitters) making person feel more relaxed)
What does D- cycloserine do?
Enhances transmission of GABA
