Psychopathology AO3

Question 1

Genetic explanations of OCD
2+
1-

Answer 1

+ Twin Studies- Billet, meta analysis, concordance rates
+ Family studies- 6/7 SERT mutation, also environment
- No specific genes- Tourettes, anorexia

Question 2

Cognitive explanation of depression
2+
2-

Answer 2

+ Evidence- depressed made more errors in logic, shows faulty thought
+ Treatment- CBT
- Blames Client- thinking patterns
- Alternative explanations- biological factors

Question 3

CBT
2+
2-

Answer 3

+ Research- Ellis 90% success rate & and Rava found CBT longer lasting than drugs
+ Homework shown effective- exercise
-Individual differences- Good for people who want change
- CBT= effort- 27 sessions needed, drugs are easier option

Question 4

Behavioural explanations of phobias
2+
2-

Answer 4

+ Research Support- Little Albert
+ Led to successful treatment- CBT
- Contrasting evidence- 50% non phobic people bad with a dog but not phobic, genetic vulnerability
-Alternative explanations- Biological preparedness, can’t condition phobia of blocks

Question 5

Systematic Desensitisation
2+
2-

Answer 5

+ Effective- s.d patients less fear of spiders
- Not for all phobias- biological preparedness
+ Diverse range of patients
- Symptom substitution- Little Hans

Question 6

Drug Therapy for OCD
2+
2-

Answer 6

+ Research Support- better than placebos
+ Little effort required from patient
- Not a lasting cure + side effects
- Publication bias- drugs shown as positive (drug companies pay for research)

Question 7

Flooding
1+
3-

Answer 7

+ Effective, stick to it = quick and more than s.d.

• Individual differences- traumatic
• Less effective for complex phobias (social)
• symptom substitution- Little Hans

Question 8

Neural Explanations of OCD
2+
1-

Answer 8

+ Research support- rats
+ Menzies- MRIs- grey matter low in ofc
-Alternative explanations- learning

Question 9

Statistical infrequency
1+
2-

Answer 9

+ Sometimes appropriate- IQ

• Does not distinguish between desirable and undesirable
• Cultural relativism

Question 10

Deviation from social norms
2+
2-

Answer 10

• Social norms change
  + Distinguishes desirable and undesirable
  +Based on context
  -Cultural relativism

Question 11

Failure to function adequately
2+
2-

Answer 11

• Involves making a value judgement about others
  + Some dysfunction behaviour may be functional
• Cultural ideas about how you should live your life
  + Sees mental illness from the POV of the person suffering

Question 12

Deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 12

• Criteria hard to measure objectively
• Very difficult to fulfil all criteria
  + Positive approach to abnormality
• Based on western ideals of mental health