Psychopathology Ao1 Flashcards
What are the definitions of abnormality?
1) Statistical Infrequency
2) Deviation from social norms
3) Failure to function adequately
4) Deviation from ideal mental health
What is statistical infrequency?
- Abnormality in terms of statistics.
- Rarely seen behaviour/characteristics are abnormal.
e.g IQ below 70 or above 130
What is deviation from social norms?
- Behaving differently than expected based on societal context.
- Relatively few behaviours are universally abnormal.
e.g Anti-Social Personality Disorder
What is Deviation from ideal mental health
- What makes us normal
- A list of 8 qualities from Jahoda
List the 8 qualities from Jahoda
1) No symptoms of distress.
2) Rational
3) Self-actualise
4) Cope with stress
5) Realistic view of the world
6) Good self-esteem
7) Independent
8) Successfully work
What is Failure to Function adequately?
Inability to cope with everyday living
Criteria for Failure to Function adequately
- No longer conform to interpersonal rules.
- Experience personal distress.
- Irrational or dangerous behaviour.
Give 2 behavioural characteristics of Phobias
(PAFUSI)
1) Panic
2) Avoidance or Endurance
Give 2 emotional characteristics of Phobias
(PAFUSI)
1) Fear to Anxiety - one leads to the other.
2) Unreasonable responses - e.g. crying to tiny spider
Give 2 cognitive characteristic of Phobias
(PAFUSI)
1) Selective attention.
2) Irrational beliefs.
Give 2 behavioural characteristic of depression
(ADALPA)
1) Activity levels
2) Disruption to sleep and eating
Give 2 emotional characteristic of depression
(ADALPA)
1) Anger
2) Low mood
Give 2 cognitive characteristic of depression
(ADALPA)
1) Poor concentration
2) Absolutist thinking
Give 2 behavioural characteristic of OCD
(CAAGOI)
1) Compulsions
2) Avoidance
Give 2 emotional characteristic of OCD
(CAAGOI)
1) Anxiety and distress
2) Guilt or disgust
Give 2 cognitive characteristic of OCD
(CAAGOI)
1) Obsessive thoughts
2) Insight into excessive anxiety
Outline the behavioural approach to explaining phobias
Two-process model:
- Learned via Classical
-Maintained via Operant
Little Albert Case study
Negative reinforcement maintains phobia.
- Avoiding the phobic stimulus creates relief, conditioned to avoid stimulus.
- e.g Phobia of clowns, avoids circuses.
Explain the process of acquiring a phobia (little Albert)
1) UCS (loud noise) –> UCR (fear)
2) NS (white bunny) –> No response
3) UCS (loud noise) + NS (white bunny) –> UCR (fear)
4) CS (white bunny) –> CR (fear)
Describe SD
Systematic Desensitisation
-Counter-conditioning; phobia (CS) paired with relaxation (becomes new CR).
- Reciprocal inhibition theory.
Formation of anxiety hierarchy.
Relaxation practiced at each level of hierarchy.
What is reciprocal inhibition?
The inability to feel two emotions at the same time.
What is flooding?
- Immediate exposure.
- Extinction: fear is exhausted without option of avoidance removing phobia.
-Ethical safeguards.
What is Beck’s cognitive theory of depression?
- Faulty information processing. Absolutist thinking.
- Depressed people have negative self-schemas. All information about themselves interpreted negatively.
- Negative view of:
1) Self
2) Future
3) World
Describe Ellis’ ABC model
A - activating event
B- beliefs (irrational): if you believe you must always succeed, failure is catastrophic.
C - consequences: emotional and behavioural.
Explain CBT
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, most common form of psychological treatment. Example of cognitive approach applied.
Cognitive: challenge negative or irrational thoughts.
Behaviour: change behaviour so it is more effective.
- Challenge negative thoughts about the self, world and future.
- “Client as scientist” tests reality of beliefs through homework.
Explain REBT
Rational Emotional Behaviour Therapy
ABCDE model.
D - dispute irrational beliefs.
E - effect.
Challenge irrational thoughts.
Behavioural activation.
Therapist’s goal of BA?
Behavioural activation: therapist encourages/ rewards effort e.g exercise or going outside is rewarded.
How would Ellis challenge irrational beliefs?
1) Empirical argument: is there evidence to support irrational belief?
2) Logical argument: does the negative thought follow from fact?
Outline the Genetic explanation for OCD?
- Candidate genes:
1. Serotonin genes
2. Dopamine genes - OCD is polygenic: Multiple genes involved
- Aetiologically heterogenous: Different combos cause OCD.
Outline the Neural explanation of OCD
- Low levels of serotonin lowers mood because lower levels means transmission of mood-related info does not take place.
- Decision making in frontal lobes (logical thinking) impaired.
- Dysfunctional left Parahippocampal gyrus (processes unpleasant emotions).
Outline the biological approach to treating OCD
- Changing levels of neurotransmitters, low levels of serotonin associated with OCD.
- SSRIs (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors)
- Typical dosage (20 mg), 3-4 months to impact symptoms.
- SSRIs + CBT. Drugs reduce emotional symptoms, patient can engage better with CBT.
- Tricyclics (older antidepressants with more severe side-effects) and SNRIs (second line of defence, increases levels of S and noradrenaline).
