Psychopathology AO1

Question 1

Outline definitions of abnormalities

Answer 1

• Deviation from Social Norms
  If behaviour goes against the accepted, expected ways in society
• Failure to function adequately
  A person is unable to cope with everyday life
• Statistical Infrequency
  Any behaviour that is statistically rare would be classed as abnormal

Deviation from Ideal Mental Health
Jahoda - P.R.A.I.S.E Analogy
Perception of reality
Resistance to stress
Self attitudes

Question 2

Outline characteristics of phobias

Answer 2

Behavioural:
- Panic
- Avoidence

Emotional:
- Anxiety
- Fear

Cognitive:
- Selective attention
- Irrational Beliefs

Question 3

Outline the behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Answer 3

Two Process Model:
Mowrer states: phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and maintains by operant conditioning
A phobia is acquired via an association of a stimulus with a response (FEAR)

Operant Conditioning:
A phobia can be maintained by negative reinforcement. This negative reinforcement can be maintained by avoidance of the stimulus

Question 4

Outline the behavioural approach to TREATING phobias

Answer 4

• Systematic Desensitisation
  Works by:
  1. Creating an Anxiety Hierarchy
  2. Teach relaxation techniques
  3. Exposes them to the stimulus

Flooding
Works by:
Exposing patient to the phobia directly until they get over it, they are taught relaxation techniques and slapped into the situation straight away with no special conditions

Question 5

Outline cognitive characteristics of depression

Answer 5

Behavioural:
- Loss of Energy
- Disruption Of Sleep

Emotional:
- Sadness
- Anger

Cognitive
- Dwelling on the negative
- Poor concentration

Question 6

Outline the Cognitive approach to explaining depression

Answer 6

Ellis’ ABC Model
A - Activating Event
e.g: getting sacked at work

B - Belief
E.g: irrational beliefs of “the company was overstaffed”

C - Consequences
E.G: irrational beliefs lead to unhealthy emotions

Becks Negative Triad
Thinking is bias towards negative interpretations of the world

Negative Self Schemas are negative views about themselves

The Negative Triad
Negative schemas on:
The Self - e.g “I’m a bad person”
The World - e.g “everything is against me”
The Future - “ I will always be on my own”

Question 7

Outline the cognitive approach to treating depression

Answer 7

Becks CBT:
Aim is to replace the negative thoughts of the triad
The steps are as follows:
- Initial Assessment - identify the symptoms and agree on goals
- Challenge Negative Thoughts - (e.g: writing positive events in diary)
- Gathering evidence and Homework hopes to “test the reality”

• Ellis Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy
  Extends the ABC model by adding D an E
  D - stands for disputing irrational beliefs
  E - stands for the effects of the dispute
  Involving replacing irrational beliefs with rational ones
  E.g Empirical Disputing (where is the proof) (Logical + Pragmatic Dispute)
  The (E) effect is that the patient will gain rational beliefs

Question 8

Outline Cognitive Characteristics of OCD

Answer 8

Behavioural:
- Compulsive Behaviour
- Avoidence

Emotional:
- Distress/Anxiety
- Shame/Disgust

Cognitive:
- Obsession
- Awareness

Question 9

Outline the Biological approach to explaining OCD

Answer 9

Genetic Explanations:
The genes we inherit from parents can predispose us to OCD by;
- The COMT gene (high dopamine)
COMT is an enzyme that mutates due to OCD, preventing regulation of dopamine levels
- The SERT gene (low serotonin)
SERT gene is involved in transporting serotonin, In OCD, the gene mutates causing low levels of serotonin

Neural Explanations
- Abnormal Neurotransmitter levels
Low levels of serotonin have been linked to anxiety disorders such as OCD.
+ - a drug that boosts serotonin levels is a treatment for OCD

• Abnormal Brain Structures
  The Orbital Prefrontal Cortex (OFC) coverts sensory info to thoughts and actions, called Worry Signals
  . However if they are not significant they are stopped by the Caudate Nucleus
  . When the Caudate is damaged this can cause OCD

Question 10

Outline the Biological approach to treating OCD

Answer 10

Low levels of Serotonin have been linked to causing OCD so SSRIs are used
- SSRIs work by inhibiting the reabsorption after Synaptic Transmission
- This results in more Serotonin in the synapse - which COMPENSATES for the deficiency

Benzodiazepines treat OCD; are used to treat anxiety
Increases the activity of Neurotransmitter GABA
- GABA has a quieting effect on the brain and slows down brain activity and makes a patient feel more relaxed

Chloride Ions are activated by GABA and make it harder for a neurone to be stimulated - why they feel relaxed