Psychopathology AO3

Question 1

Strength of Statistical Infrequency

Answer 1

Usefulness.
Used in clinical settings, to assess the severity and as part of a formal diagnosis.
E.g. A diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder requires an IQ below 70 or a score of 30+ on Beck’s depression inventory indicates severe depression.

Question 2

Weakness of Statistical Infrequency

Answer 2

Characteristics can be positive as well.
Someone with an IQ above 130 wouldn’t be viewed as abnormal, nor someone with a low score on BDI.
Not sufficient as a sole basis for defining abnormality. Can lead to negative labelling.

Question 3

Strength of deviation from social norms.

Answer 3

Usefulness.
Used in clinical practice. Characteristics of antisocial personality disorder are failure to conform to culturally acceptable behaviour i.e. recklessness, aggression etc (all deviation from norms).
Hold value in psychiatry.

Question 4

Weakness of deviation from social norms.

Answer 4

Varies between cultures.
One may be labelled as abnormal using others’ standards as opposed to theirs.
E.g. hearing voices is a sign of a message from ancestors to some but would be viewed as abnormality in the UK.
Meaning it is difficult to judge.

Question 5

Strength of failure to function.

Answer 5

Represents a sensible threshold.
Most will have symptoms of mental disorder at some point (Mind - 25% in UK). Many press on only seeking help when ceasing to function.
This means those who need help most can be targeted.

Question 6

Weakness of failure to function.

Answer 6

Easy to label non-standard choices as abnormal.
Those who favour high-risk leisure activities or unusual spiritual practices could be classed unreasonably as irrational or a danger to one’s self.
This means those who don’t conform to societal norms may be labelled abnormal and have restricted freedom of choice.

Question 7

Strength of ideal mental health.

Answer 7

Highly comprehensive definition.
Jahoda’s concept covers most of the reasons we might seek/be referred for help.
This Means MH can be discussed meaningfully with a range of professionals taking different viewpoints i.e. symptom vs self-actualisation standpoint.
But, standards may be too high and unrealistic to achieve at the same time.

Question 8

Weakness of ideal mental health.

Answer 8

Not equally applicable across a range of cultures.
Jahoda’s criteria is formed in the context of the US and Europe. The concept of self-actualisation would be dismissed as self-indulgent in much of the world.
Defining success in work, social and love lives differ.

Question 9

Strength of behavioural explanation of phobias.

Answer 9

Empirical evidence.
Sue et al (1994) - those with phobias often recall a specific event when they appeared (e.g. bitten by a dog).
Supporting that the neutral stimulus becomes associated with et unconditioned stimulus resulting in a phobia.

Question 10

Weakness of behavioural explanation of phobias.

Answer 10

Incomplete model.
Di Nardo (1998) suggested not everyone bitten by a dog develops a phobia, arguing for a genetic vulnerability.
Classical conditioning may not be the primary explanation.

Question 11

Behavioural explanation is reductionist (phobias).

Answer 11

The two-process model reduces phobias to the constituent elements, classical and operant, explaining behaviour.
Though this allows for greater depth but fails to consider other components (i.e. cognitive to explain irrational beliefs).
A more holistic approach would be beneficial.

Question 12

Strength of systematic desensitisation.

Answer 12

Effective treatment.
Gilroy et al (2003) found at both 3 and 33 months after treatment the 42 patients who underwent SD (for a spider phobia) were less fearful.

Question 13

Appropriateness of systematic desensitisation.

Answer 13

More appropriate than alternatives.
Some sufferers may also have learning difficulties. They often struggle with cognitive therapies requiring complex rational thought.
Also preferred as it doesn’t cause the same amount of trauma, meaning refusal/dropout rates are lower.

Question 14

Strength of flooding.

Answer 14

Cost-effective.
It is clinically effective and not expensive, as it can work in as little as one session as opposed to 10 SD.

Question 15

Weakness of flooding.

Answer 15

Traumatic.
Schumacher et al (2015) found ppt and therapists rated flooding as more stressful than SD.
Ethical issue - knowingly causing stress although informed consent is obtained.
Leads to higher dropout rates.

Question 16

Strength of Becks negative triad.
(Cognitive exp - depression).

Answer 16

Real-world applicability.
Cohen et al (2019) concluded that assessing cognitive vulnerability allows for the screening of young people identifying those most at risk to then be monitored.
Understanding vulnerability can be applied in CBT, to alter those cognitions, making them more resilient.

Question 17

Support for Becks negative triad.

Answer 17

Clark and Beck (1999) found cognitive vulnerabilities more common in depressed people but they preceded the depression.
Confirmed by Cohen et al (2019).
But as Beck was involved in the research it is vulnerable to researcher bias.

Question 18

Strength of Ellis ABC.

Answer 18

Allowed for REBT to be developed.
The idea is that vigorously arguing with a depressed person can alter irrational beliefs.
David et al (2018) support this idea as well as saying it relieves symptoms.

Question 19

Weakness of Ellis ABC.

Answer 19

Not a full explanation.
Many cases of depression aren’t traceable to life events, with the cause not being obvious - endogenous depression.
Due to the lack of an ‘activating event’ Ellis’s model cannot provide an explanation.

Question 20

Strength of CBT.

Answer 20

Supportive evidence for its effectiveness.
March et al (2007) compared CBT to antidepressants and a combination of both, treating 327 adolescents.
81% of individual and 86% of combination groups improved.
First source of treatment for NHS is also cost-effective due to the typical length of treatment.

Question 21

Effectiveness of CBT across different cases.

Answer 21

Depression may be so severe patients cannot motivate themselves to engage with CBT.
However, Lewis and Lewis (2016) found it was as effective for severe depression.
The complex rational thinking also makes it unsuitable for those with learning disabilities.
Taylor et al (20080 concluded when used appropriately it can be effective for those with learning disabilities.

Question 22

Weakness of CBT.

Answer 22

Overemphasis on cognition.
McCusker (2014) stated this may result in minimising the importance of the patient’s living circumstances.
E.g. those living in poverty, it would be more beneficial to have help to change their circumstances, not their cognitions.

Question 23

Biological explanation is reductionist (OCD).

Answer 23

Reduces the complex behaviour of OCD down to low levels of serotonin.
In doing so it ignores environmental factors.
Cromer et al (2007) found over 50% of clients in their sample with OCD had experienced a traumatic event in their past.
Interactionist approach may be more beneficial.

Question 24

Strength of biological explanation (genetic).

Answer 24

Nedstadt et al (2010) reviewed twin studies finding 68% of MZ twins share OCD as opposed to 31% DZ.
Family studies have also found the risk is 4x higher if a family member holds a diagnosis.

Question 25

Strength of biological explanation (neural).

Answer 25

Antidepressants working purely on serotonin are effective in reducing symptoms.
Nedstadt et al (2010) found OCD symptoms also overlap with other conditions biological in origin (e.g. Parkinson’s).
But this is correlational research so cause and effect cannot be established.

Question 26

Effectiveness of drug treatment for OCD.

Answer 26

Empirical evidence that SSRIs reduce symptom severity and improve quality of life.
Soomro et al (2009) reviewed 17 studies comparing SSRIs to placebos, and all showed better outcomes for SSRIs, with symptoms reducing for around 70% of people.
However, there is evidence to suggest cognitive and behavioural therapies were more effective. (Skapinakis et al).

Question 27

Strength of drug treatment for OCD.

Answer 27

Cost-effective and non-disruptive.
Cheaper as they can be manufactured in bulk in minimal time compared to psychological therapy time frames.
Good use of limited funds in NHS.
No need to attend therapy sessions blocking time out of your week.
Increase popularity.

Question 28

Weakness of drug treatment for OCD.

Answer 28

Potentially serious side-effects.
May include, indigestion, blurred vision and loss of sex drive. They’re usually temporary but can be distressing nonetheless.
Clomipramine - 1/10 experience erection problems and weight gain, 1/100 become aggressive and experience heart-related problems.
This can lead to further decline in MH and not completing the course.