Psychopathology Theories Flashcards
Abnormity-Statistical Infrequency
Any unusual or “strange” characteristic that is not the norm would be abnormal
Abnormity-Statistical Infrequency -Evaluation
+Has real life applications in the diagnosis of some conditions
- Usual characteristics can be seen as positive
- Not everyone benefits from being labelled-low self esteem
Abnormity-Deviation from Social Norms
Any behaviour that does not fit into what society views as “normal” or acceptable will be called abnormal
Abnormity-Deviation from Social Norms-Evaluation
+Has a real life application is diagnosis APD sufferers
- Not a sole explanation of abnormity-can be combined with others
- Culture based
- Can lead to human rights abuses
Abnormity-Failure to Function Adequately
This occurs when someone cannot cope with the demands of everyday life
Abnormity-Failure to Function Adequately-Rosenham and Seligman
According to Rosenham and Seligman, we are no longer functioning adequately when:
- We no longer cornform to standard interpersonal rules
- We experience severe personal distress
- Our behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to ourselves and/or others
Abnormity-Failure to Function Adequately-Evaluation
+ Patients Perspective-Diagnosis includes their experiences
- Is it just a deviation from social norms?
- Diagnosis based on a subjective judgement done by the psychiatrist
Abnormity-Deviation from Ideal Mental Health
Occurs when we are not Psychologically Healthy
Abnormity-Deviation from Ideal Mental Health-Jahoda
According to Jahoda, we are in good mental health if we:
- Have no symptoms or distress
- Are rational and can accurately perceive ourselves
- Reach our potential
- Can cope with stress
- Have a realistic view of the world
- Have good self-esteem and lack guilt
- Can successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure
Abnormity-Deviation from Ideal Mental Health-Evaluation
+ Its a comprehensive definition-broad range of criteria
- Culturally biased- based on western individualist cultures
- Jahoda sets an unrealistic standard for good mental health
Phobia-Behavioural-Panic
Phobics may panic in response to the presence of the phobic stimulus, and shows behaviours that include crying, screaming or running way
Phobias-Behavioural-Avoidance
They will tend to go to extreme lengths to avoid the phobic stimulus. This can make it hard to go about everyday life
Phobias-Behavioural-Endurance
Sufferer remains in the presence of stimulus for a long time, but experiences high anxiety. This is unavoidable in some circumstances
Phobias-Emotional-Anxiety
This is what Phobics feel when in the presence of their phobic stimulus. It an unpleasant state of high arousal
Phobias-Emotional-Unreasonable Responses
The emotions that they feel go beyond what is reasonable. EG: Strong emotional reactions to a very small spider
Phobias-Cognitive-Selective Attention
Phobias cannot look away from the phobic stimulus, this is not useful if the fear is irrational
Phobias-Cognitive-Irrational Beliefs
Phobic hold irrational beliefs to phobic stimuli
Phobias-Cognitive-Cognitive Distortions
Phobics perceptions of the phobic stimulus is distorted : Ophidiophoboc may see snakes as alien and aggressive
Depression-Behavioural- Activity Levels
They had reduced energy levels, they withdraw from work, education and social life. However, it can have the opposite effect, called the Psychomotor Agitation, where they struggle to relax and end up pacing up and down a room
Depression-Behavioural-Sleep and Eating
They can experience insomnia or hypersomnia. Also, their appetite may increase or decrease
Depression-Behavioural-Aggression or Self Harm
They can become verbally or physically aggressive. They could also experience aggression against the self, like cutting or suicide attempts
Depression-Emotional-Lowered Mood
They have described themselves as worthless or empty. This is a very low mood
Depression-Emotional-Anger
They frequently experience anger, which can be directed at the self or others
Depression-Emotional-Lowered Self Esteem
They can experience seriously low self esteem, with some people saying that they hate themselves
Depression-Cognitive- Poor Concentration
They find it hard to stick to a task, or to make decisions that we find straightforward.
Depression-Cognitive-Attending and Dwelling on the Negative
They pay more attention to negative things more than positive things. They also find it easier to recall negative memories
Depression-Cognitive-Absolutist Thinking
They think in “black and white”. Either it’s all good or all bad
OCD-Behavioural-Repetitive Compulsions
They feel compelled to repeat a certain behaviour, e.g: Counting
OCD-Behavioural-Compulsions reduce Anxiety
The vast majority of compulsive behaviours are performed to manage the anxiety produced by obsessions. e.g: Compulsive hand washing is done as a response to an obsessive fear of germs
OCD-Behavioural-Avoidance
They manage their OCD by avoiding all situations that could trigger the anxiety. However, this can sometimes be unavoidable, and can interfere with a persons daily life
OCD-Emotional-Anxiety and Distress
Powerful anxiety accompanies both obsessions and compulsions. The urge to complete a behaviour creates anxiety. Obsessive thoughts are unpleasant and frightening
OCD-Emotional-Accompanying Depression
It can be accompanied by depression, anxiety brings low mood and a lack of enjoyment in activities
OCD-Emotional-Guilt and Disgust
OCD can involve other negative emotions, such as guilt and disgust. This can be directed against something external or at the self
OCD-Cognitive-Obsessive Thoughts
They have reoccurring obsessive thoughts, which can be frightening. e.g: Recurring worries of being contaminated by dirt
OCD-Cognitive-Cognitive Strategies
They respond to their obsessions by adopting coping strategies. e.g: Constant praying. This can help them reduce anxiety, but interferes with their daily life
OCD-Cognitive-Excessive Anxiety
OCD sufferers know that their obsessions and compulsions are not rational. but they experience catastrophic thoughts about the worst case scenario. They also tend to maintain constant awareness and keep focused on potential hazards
Behavioural Approach to Explaining Phobias-Two Process Model-Acquisition
A phobia can be acquired by classical conditioning. We learn to associate something that we don’t have a phobia of with something that already triggers a fear. We are then scared of the thing that we are not scared off
Behavioural Approach to Explaining Phobias-Two Process Model-Maintenance
Phobia responses can be maintained by operant conditioning. We avoid the phobic stimulus (negative reinforcement) to prevent the fear response. This reinforces this behaviour. The reduction in fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour, so the phobia is maintained
Behavioural Approach to Explaining Phobias-Two Process Model-Evaluation
+Good explanatory power- can be linked to therapy
- Alternative Explanation to avoidance behaviour- Avoidance is motivated by anxiety reduction
- Incomplete explanation- We may of adapted to have phobias of certain things. Not all phobias can be acquired by conditioning
Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias-Systematic Desensitization
It is a behavioural therapy designed to gradually reduce anxiety through classical conditioning. If they can learn to relax in the presence of the phobic stimulus, they are cured. There are 3 processes involved in Systematic Desensitization
Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias-Systematic Desensitization Processes-Anxiety Hierarchy
It is put together by the patient and therapist. It is a list of situations related to the phobic stimulus that provoke anxiety arranged from least to most frightening. Also known as a Hierarchy of Fear. Going through this hierarchy is how Systematic Desensitization works
Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias-Systematic Desensitization Processes-Relaxation
The patient is taught to relax as deeply as possible. They can only move on the next stage of their anxiety hierarchy if they are relaxed and calm
Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias-Systematic Desensitization Processes-Exposure
While in a relaxed state, they are exposed to their phobic stimulus. This will take a few sessions, starting from the bottom of the anxiety hierarchy and working up. Treatment is successful if they can stay relaxed at the top of their anxiety hierarchy
Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias-Systematic Desensitization -Evaluation
+Effective-Gilroy Study
+Suitable for a diverse range of patients-children and those with learning difficulties
+Patients accept it-Low refusal rates
-Not cost-effective and could take a long time
Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias-Flooding
It involves exposing the phobic to the phobic stimulus without a gradual build up via a anxiety hierarchy. It involves immediate exposure to a very frightening situation
Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias-Flooding-How?
Flooding stops phobic responses quickly. This is because, without avoidance behaviour, they cannot avoid the situation and soon learn that it is harmless. In classical conditioning, this is called extinction. In some causes, they might become relaxed because they become exhausted by their fear response
Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias-Flooding-Ethics
Flooding can produce ethical issues as it is an unpleasant experience. The patients consent is required beforehand. Normally, they will have a choice between Systematic Desensitization and Flooding
Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias-Flooding-Evaluation
+Cost effective-it could be done in one session
- Less effective for some types of phobias- social phobias
- Traumatic experience- time and money can be wasted if the participant refuses to continue or start their treatment
Cognitive Approach to Explaining Depression-Becks Cognitive Theory -Faulty Information Triad
We attend to the negative aspects of a situation and ignore positives. We also tend to blow small problems out of proportion and think in black and white thinking
Cognitive Approach to Explaining Depression-Becks Cognitive Theory -Negative Self-Schemas
If we have negative self schemas, we interpret all information about ourselves in a negative way
Cognitive Approach to Explaining Depression-Becks Cognitive Theory-The Negative Triad
Three types of negative thoughts that occur automatically, regardless of what is happening. When we are depressed, these negative thoughts come to up. These thought are
1-Negative view of the World
2-Negative view of the Future
3-Negative view of the Self
Cognitive Approach to Explaining Depression-Becks Cognitive Theory-Evaluation
+Good Supporting research-Clark and Beck and Grazioli and Terry
+Practical Application-Can be used in CBT
-Doesn’t explain all types of depression- Depression is complex and comes in many different types
Cognitive Approach to Explaining Depression-Ellis’s ABC Model
According to Ellis, anxiety and depression are the result of Irrational thoughts. The ABC model is used to explain how rational thoughts affect our behaviour and emotional state
Cognitive Approach to Explaining Depression-Ellis’s ABC Model-A
A-Activating Event. An irrational thought is triggered by external events. These events are normally a negative one that we experience
Cognitive Approach to Explaining Depression-Ellis’s ABC Model-B
B-Beliefs. We then experience irrational beliefs. For example “I-Can’t-Stand-It’s” is a belief that Beck named, and it is a belief that it is a major disaster whenever something does not go smoothly
Cognitive Approach to Explaining Depression-Ellis’s ABC Model-C
C-Consequences. The activating event triggers the irrational belief. The consequence of this, according to Beck is depression and a change in behaviour and/or emotional state
Cognitive Approach to Explaining Depression-Ellis’s ABC Model-Evaluation
-Partial Explanation-only works for some types of depression
+Practical Application-Can be used in CBT
-Doesn’t explain all aspects of Depression- hallucinations or delusions
Cognitive Approach to Treating Depression-Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
CBT is the most commonly used treatment for depression. One of the central tasks is to identify where there might be negative or irrational thoughts that will benefit from being challenged. Most CBT treatment involves a mixture of Becks and Ellis’s way to treat depression
Cognitive Approach to Treating Depression-Becks Cognitive Therapy
This challenges the thoughts in the negative triad. Also this CBT aims to test the reality of a persons irrational beliefs. This might involve the patient doing a diary of when people were nice to them. This evidence can be used in later sessions
Cognitive Approach to Treating Depression-Ellis’s REBT
REBT Extends the ABC model to ABCDE, D-Dispute E-Effect. This main technique is to identify and challenge the negative thoughts. This is done through a vigorous argument, a sort of self talk
Cognitive Approach to Treating Depression-Evaluation
+Effective-March Study
- CBT may not work in severe cases of depression
- Success can be down to therapist patient relationship
Biological Approach to Explaining OCD-Genetics
Certain genes can make a person more vulnerable to getting OCD. According to the Diathesis-Stress model, some genes make someone more vulnerable, but some environmental stress is needed to cause the condition
Biological Approach to Explaining OCD-Genetics-Candidate Genes
Some genes that create a vulnerability for OCD. An example is 5H1-D, which regulates serotonin transportation
Biological Approach to Explaining OCD-Genetics-Polygenic
There are several genes that are involved in the creation of OCD
Biological Approach to Explaining OCD-Genetics-Different Types of OCD
The genes that cause OCD in one person may not cause it in an another person. This is known as Aetiologically Heterogeneous-The origin has different causes
Biological Approach to Explaining OCD-Genetics-Evaluation
+Good Supporting Evidence-Nestadt study
- Too many candidate genes-Provides little predictive value
- Environment-Cromer Study-Suggests that the environment plays a part
Biological Approach to Explaining OCD-Neural-Serotonin
Some cases of OCD can be explained by a reduction in the functioning of the serotonin system, which regulates mood
Biological Approach to Explaining OCD-Neural-Decision-Making
Some cases of OCD can be caused by abnormal functioning of the frontal lobes of the brain. This part of the brain is responsible for decision making. Also the Parahippocampalgyrus can function abnormally. The Parahippocampalgyrus is associated with unpleasant emotions
Biological Approach to Explaining OCD-Neural-Evaluation
+Some Supporting Evidence-Nestasdt Study
- Not clear which mechanisms are involved-We cannot understand it
- We should not assume that neural mechanisms cause OCD-They could be a result of OCD, Not the cause
Biological Approach to Treating OCD-Drug Therapy-SSRI
SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) is a type of anti-depressant that works on the serotonin system on the brain. SSRI’s increase the levels of serotonin by preventing the re-absorption and breakdown of serotonin. SSRI’s simulate the postsynaptic neuron. It compensates for whatever is at fault in the serotonin system that caused the OCD
Biological Approach to Treating OCD-Drug Therapy-Combining SSRI
SSRI’s can be used with CBT. SSRI reduces the patients anxiety making them engage more effectively with CBT
Biological Approach to Treating OCD-Drug Therapy-Alternatives to SSRI-Tricyclic
Tricyclic have the same effect as SSRI’s do, but have more side effects. They are normally used for patients that don’t respond to SSRI’s
Biological Approach to Treating OCD-Drug Therapy-Alternatives to SSRI-SNRI
SNRI (Serotonin-Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors) increase the levels of Serotonin and Noradrenaline. They are normally used for patients that don’t respond to SSRI’s
Biological Approach to Treating OCD-Evaluation
+Drug Therapy is effective
+Drugs are cost effective and non-disruptive
-Drugs can have side effects
-Unreliable evidence for drug treatments
