A Level Psychology - Psychopathology

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Flashcards on A Level Psychology - Psychopathology, created by Czean Holgado on 17/05/2018.
Czean Holgado
Flashcards by Czean Holgado, updated more than 1 year ago
Czean Holgado
Created by Czean Holgado over 6 years ago
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Question Answer
Define the term statistical infrequency, giving an example. This is when an individual possesses an 'abnormal' characteristic that is less common - such as being depressed or having a low IQ (less than 70)
Define the term deviation from social norms, giving examples This is when behaviour is different from the expected standard within a community/society - e.g homosexuality, having an antisocial personality disorder (aggressive, impulsive, irresponsible)
Evaluate statistical frequency as a definition of abnormality. -helpful in the diagnosis of an intellectual disability disorder -unusual characteristics, such as incredibly high IQ, may be deemed abnormal according to this - but it is a positive attribute
Evaluate deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality -helpful in the diagnosis of the antisocial personality disorder -not a sole explanation -someone deemed as abnormal, may be perceived to be normal in a different culture -can lead to human rights abuse
Define the term function to function adequately (FFA), giving examples This is when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of daily life - e.g failing to keep eye contact, respect personal space, cope with severe distress, becoming dangerous to self, and others
Define the term Deviation from ideal mental health, giving examples. This is when someone does not meet the criteria for good mental health. This is the criteria: -no symptoms of distress -reach potential (self-actualise) -cope with stress -realistic view of world -good self esteem and lack guilt -independent of other people -enjoy work, and leisure
Evaluate FFA as a definition of abnormality -attempts to include the subjective experience of the patient - helps to assess abnormality in the patient's perspective -it is hard to judge whether it is FFA or deviation from social norms - some may practise extreme sports -this affects personal freedom and can discriminate against minority groups
Evaluate deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality. - it is a comprehensive definition - covers a range of criteria - allows us to think about our mental health deeply -cultures have different views on our mental health - e.g independence is only important in individualistic cultures -the criteria is unrealistic, high expectations
What is a phobia? -An irrational fear of an object or situation
Give examples of behavioural characteristics of phobias (how you act) Avoidance - avoiding contact Panic - screaming, crying Endurance - remaining in the situation, but has high anxiety
Give examples of emotional characteristics of phobias (how you feel) Anxiety - fear
Give examples of cognitive characteristics of phobias (how you think) -Selective attention to phobic stimulus - e.g keeping an eye of the stimulus to prevent risks of danger -Irrational beliefs in relation to the phobic stimulus Cognitive distortions - perceive phobia different to what it actually is - disgusting, ugly etc
What is depression? -a mental disorder characterised by low mood and energy levels
Give behavioural characteristics of depression. -Low activity levels - don't want to go out, or work -Insomnia, hypersomnia -Aggression towards others and self
Give emotional characteristics of depression -Lowered mood - feeling sad -Anger towards others or self Lowered self esteem - view themselves as worthless
Give cognitive characteristics of depression -Poor concentration - hard to make decisions -Dwelling on the negative - glass half empty Absolutist thinking - thinking everything has to be perfect
What is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)? -a condition characterised by obsessions and compulsive behaviour
Give behavioural characteristics of OCD -Compulsions - repeating behaviours, repeating them due to anxiety of obsession
Give emotional characteristics of OCD -Anxiety and distress - obsessive thoughts and the urge to repeat a behaviour creates anxiety and frightening thoughts -Guilt and disgust - directed at self or obsession -Depression
Give examples of cognitive characteristics of OCD -Obsessive thoughts - reoccuring thoughts -Cognitive strategies to deal with obsession - e.g guilt fixed by praying repetitively
What is the two process model for the acquisition of phobias? Acquisition of the phobia through CC Maintenance of phobia through operant conditioning.
Give an example of research supporting the acquisition of phobias through classical conditioning. Watson and Little Albert - loud noise played when rat shown , conditioned to fear rat
Evaluate research evidence supporting the two process model. Little Albert - phobia explained by CC - high internal validity - Albert also shown other furry objects -Operant conditioning - helpful for therapies - helps to treat avoidance strategies of patients -Avoidance of the phobia may be because of safety reasons, not because of the feeling of anxiety (suggested in two process model) -We may have phobias due to biological preparedness.
What is systematic desensitisation? -Behavioural therapy involving gradual exposure to the phobic stimulus - anxiety hierarchy, patient taught relaxation methods.
What is flooding? -Behavioural therapy - involves immediate exposure to phobic stimulus for a prolonged period of time - prevents avoidance
Evaluate systematic desensitisation as a behavioural therapy for phobias. -Effective - supported by Gilroy - systematic desensitisation produced less fear in patients and was long lasting - helped reduce anxiety -more appropriate than some therapies as some with phobias have learning difficulties so cannot concentrate in cognitive therapies -does not cause extreme trauma - helps relaxation
Evaluate flooding as a behavioural therapy for phobias. -Cost effective - patient can be cured in one session - less sessions needed than SD -less effective for some phobias - social phobias that involve cognitive thoughts -Cause high degree of trauma - patient may not complete treatment - money wasted
What is a schema? -these are the stereotypes developed through experience that act as a mental framework for interpretation of sensory information
What is the negative triad? -Negative view of the world -Negative view of self -Negative view of future
What was Ellis's ABC model? This is the model that leads to development of depression A - Activating event -trauma B - Beliefs - irrational beliefs - 'musturbation' - need to achieve perfection C - Consequences - emotional and behavioural consequences - e.g depression
Evaluate Beck's cognitive theory of depression (negative triad) -Supported by Grazioli and Terry - pregnant women more likely to suffer from depression after giving birth -Supported by Clark and Beck -Forms the basis of cognitive behavioural therapies - practical application to real therapies
Evaluate Ellis's ABC model. -only applies to some types of depression - reactive depression -led to successful therapy - practical application -doesn't explain anger associated with depression
What is the genetic explanation of OCD? -Lewis expt. showed that 37% of patients with OCD also had parents with OCD and 21% had siblings with OCD - suggests that it could be genetic
What is the neural explanation of OCD? -lack of serotonin - a neurotransmitter used to regulate mood - causes lower mood -the frontal lobe may be impaired - involved in decision making (left parahippocampal gyrus)
Evaluate the genetic explanation of OCD. -Supported by twin studies -Nestadt - 68% of identical twins had OCD, compared to 31% of non-identical twins -OCD is believed to be 'polygenic' - caused by more than one gene - hard to suggest that which ones -Environmental factors can also lead to OCD - shown by Cromer, patients had traumatic events.
Evaluate the neural explanation of OCD -supported by drug therapy - antidepressants work on serotonin system so it shows that it is involved -it is not clear what neural mechanisms are involved -neural mechanisms may not cause OCD - abnormalities may be caused by OCD
What are SSRI's? Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor - prevents reabsorption of serotonin - so it builds up
What can be combined with SSRI's to treat OCD? -Cognitive therapies - help reduce anxiety
What are the alternatives to SSRI's? Tricyclics - type of antidepressant - same effect of SSRI's but has more side effects SNRI's - serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor - inhibits serotonin and noradrenaline
Evaluate drug therapy as a treatment for OCD. -SSRI's helpful in reducing symptoms - supported by Soomro - patients given placebos had less improvement -Drugs are cost effective -Drugs can have side effects - indigestion, blurred vision
What was Beck's cognitive therapy in treating depression? Cognitive behaviour therapy - negative thoughts challenged and tested -patients given homework to test reality of their beliefs
What was Ellis's method of treating depression? -Rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT) -irrational beliefs challenged using evidence -behavioural activation - patients encouraged to take part in enjoyable activities
Evaluate the cognitive behavioural therapies used to treat depression. -Effective - March et al. - 327 adolescents - after 36 weeks 81% of antidepressants, and 81% of CBT group and 86% of CBT + antidepressants had significantly improved. -CBT may not work with the most severe cases - patients find it hard to concentrate on demands during therapy -Success may be due to therapist-patient relationship - this determines the success of the therapy
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