Topic 3- Psychological Problems

Question 1

Strengths-Genetic explanation of unipolar depression

Answer 1

Stops people from being ashamed of being diagnosed of depression
Caspi et al. (2003) found that people with a version of the serotonin transporter gene were more likely to develop depression when triggered by a stressful life event

Question 2

Weaknesses Of genetic explanation

Answer 2

Says there’s no way to prevent depression
Doesn’t factor in environmental factors

Question 2

Strengths Of Cognitive Theories

Answer 2

Takes into environmental factors.
Applicable to CBT

Question 2

Weaknesses Of cognitive

Answer 2

Hard to tell if negative thoughts lead to depression
Doesn’t take into account genes

Question 3

Strengths Of Caspi et al

Answer 3

A large sample was used.
Tells doctors that environemtal factors and genes can affect depression

Question 4

Weaknesses Of caspi

Answer 4

Unreliable- Questionaires were self reported
Unclear if genes and life events are the causes. Short versions can place themselves in the situation more often

Question 5

Strengths for CBT to treat depression

Answer 5

Beltman et al. (2010) found that CBT improved symptoms of depressed patients
Long term affects
Helps patients feel better

Question 6

Weaknesses CBT for depression

Answer 6

Relies on motivation on patient to change
Ethical reasons

Question 7

Strengths for Drug therapy for depression

Answer 7

Helps improve symptoms so CBT can be used. Royal college of Psychiatrists found that 50-65% of patients with moderate to severe symptoms improved when given antidepressants
Compared to 25-30% when patients with similar symptoms were given a placebo

Question 8

Weaknesses Drugs for depression

Answer 8

Side effects-Nausea, vomiting, dizziness.
Moncrieff and Kirsch (2005) found that the long-term effects of antidepressants are becoming worse
Patients are becoming more likely to relapse

Question 9

Strengths of Genetic explanation for Addiction

Answer 9

Carnelli et al. (1992) - in identical twins, if one was a smoker, then the other one was more likely to also be a smoker than if the twins were non identical
Goodwin et al. (1973) - adopted children with at least one biological parent with alcohol addiction were highly likely to show symptoms of alcohol addiction
Cadoret et al. (1987) - adopted children who had a biological link to someone with alcohol problems were more likely to have alcohol problems themselves

Question 10

Weaknesses Of genetic for additction

Answer 10

Doesn’t take into social factors
Research has not found a single gene which explains where addiction comes from

Question 11

Strengths of CBT To treat Addiction

Answer 11

Research has not found a single gene which explains where addiction comes from
Young (2007) found CBT was effective in treating those with internet addiction in the short and long term

Question 12

Weaknesses for CBT to treat addiction

Answer 12

Addict must be motivated to change their behaviour
Morgenstern and Longabaugh (2000) found alcoholics had the ability to cope with their addiction after CBT but wouldn’t always put these skills to use

Question 13

Strengths for Learning Theories

Answer 13

By assuming addictions are a result of learning, we can unlearn these behaviours
Classical condition helps explain why previous addicts relapse, even if it has been years after they stopped

Question 14

Weaknesses for learning theories

Answer 14

Ignores the role of biological roles which can influence addiction
Conditioning theories don’t explain why many people try drugs, alcohol and gambling, but only a few become addicted

Question 15

Strengths Of Drug Therapy

Answer 15

Suck Won Kim et al. (2001) - 75% of gambling addicts who were treated with naltrexone had significant improvement in their symptoms, compared to only 24% of those given a placebo
Winder et al. (2014) - in a group of sex offenders, SSRIs helped them reduce thoughts of sex

Question 16

Weaknesses for drug therapy

Answer 16

Krystal et al. (2001) - no significant difference in relapse rates between alcoholic patients taking naltrexone and those taking a placebo
Some argue that giving medication to patients addicted to something may make their problems worse as they may get dependent on the medication

Question 17

Strengths Of Young

Answer 17

Can encourage people to access treatments for addiction
Data from all questionnaires are reliable because the same questions and rating scale were used

Question 18

Weaknesses of young

Answer 18

Participants answered questions about their own feelings and behaviour, which may not be accurate
Unclear as to whether the treatment achieved the same effects for different types of internet addiction