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psychopathology Flashcards

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1
Q

what are the 4 definitions of abnormality?

A

statistical infrequency
deviation from social norms
failure to function adequately
deviation from ideal mental health

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2
Q

what is statistical infrequency?

A

occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic

e.g being less intelligent than the majority of a population

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3
Q

what is deviation from social norms?

A

concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standardised behaviour in a community

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4
Q

what is failure to function adequately?

A

when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day to day life

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5
Q

what is deviation from ideal mental health?

A

when someone does not meet a set of criteria for ideal mental health

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6
Q

what is an example of statistical infrequency?

A

IQ and intellectual disability disorder
the average IQ is 100
the normal distribution is 85-115
people under 70 are abnormal and are often diagnosed with IDD

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7
Q

what is normal distribution?

A

a symmetrical spread of data that forms a bell shape

average is at the peak

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8
Q

what are culture norms and how does it effect the definition for deviation of social norms?

A

social norms can be different for different generations and cultures
few behaviours are considered universal
eg homosexuality

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9
Q

what is an example of deviation of social norms?

A

antisocial personality disorder

people with apd are considered abnormal because they don’t conform to moral standards

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10
Q

evaluation
statistical infrequency
strength : real world application

A

useful in diagnosis eg IDD

helpful in assessing conditions eg BDI

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11
Q

evaluation
statistical infrequency
limitation : unusual characteristics can be positive

A

IQ scores above 130 is unusual but not regarded as undesirable or needing treatment
statistical infrequency can defined abnormality but shouldn’t be the sole basis

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12
Q

evaluation
statistical infrequency
limitation: benefit vs problem

A

if someone is happy there is no benefit labelling them as abnormal
the label may carry social stigma eg IDD

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13
Q

evaluation
deviation from social norms
strength : real world application

A

useful on diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder
helpful in diagnosis of schizophrenia
useful in psychiatric diagnosis

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14
Q

evaluation
deviation from social norms
limitation: situationally and culturally relative

A

a person from one culture may be abnormal but not in another culture as they may have different standards
eg hearing voices may be acceptable in one culture but is not in UK
difficult to judge deviation from one context to another

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15
Q

evaluation
deviation from social norms
limitation: human rights abuse

A

reliance on deviation from social norms can lead to abuse of human rights eg nymphomania to control females
use of dsn may do more harm then good

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16
Q

what are Rosenhan and Seligman’s signs of failure to function adequately?

A

no longer conform to interpersonal rules
experience severe distress
behave irrationally or dangerously

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17
Q

when and who came up the the signs for failing to function adequately?

A

Rosenhan and Seligman 1989

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18
Q

what is an example of failure to function adequately?

A

intellectual disability disorder
failure to function adequately can be combined with statistical infrequency to diagnose IDD
the person is not able to cope with everyday demands due to low IQ

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19
Q

what is Johoda’s criteria for ideal mental health?

A 
no symptoms or distress 
rational self perception
self-actualisation 
cope with stress 
realistic view of the world 
good self-esteem 
independence 
successful work
positive relationships and friendships
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20
Q

when and who came up with the criteria for ideal mental health?

A

Johoda 1958

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21
Q

how does deviation from ideal mental health overlap with other definitions of abnormality?

A

the inability to keep a job can be failure to function adequately and deviation from ideal mental health

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22
Q

evaluation
failure to function adequately
strength: threshold for professional help

A

mind charity – 25% of people experience symptoms of mental disorders
Failure to function criteria provides a way to target treatment and services to those who need it

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23
Q

evaluation

failure to function adequately limitation: leads to discrimination/social control

A

hard to distinguish between failure to function and conscious deviation from social norms
E.g. people may choose an alternative lifestyle but would be labelled abnormal


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24
Q

evaluation
failure to function adequately
Limitation: hard to judge failure to function adequately

A

most people can’t cope with e.g. bereavement which is a normal reaction to circumstance
however some people need professional help to adjust to bereavement
hard to base a judgement of abnormality and failure to function

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25
evaluation | deviation from ideal mental health strength : comprehensive approach
includes a range of criteria for mental health allows mental health to be discussed meaningfully with professionals provides a checklist against which we can assess ourselves and others
26
evaluation | deviation from ideal mental health limitation : culture biased
criteria for ideal mental health is limited to USA in Western Europe E.g. self-actualisation is not recognised in other countries E.g. the value of independence varies across Europe (high in Germany, low in Italy) difficult to apply the concept of ideal mental health one culture to another
27
evaluation | deviation from ideal mental health limitation : high standards
Small number of people match jahoda’s criteria for mental health impossible set standards to match however the comprehensive criteria may be valuable to someone wanting to improve mental health is not appliable to all people
28
What is a phobia?
Irrational fear of an object or situation
29
What are behavioural characteristics?
The way people react
30
what are three examples of behavioural characteristics of phobias?
Panic avoidance endurance
31
what is panic?
involves a range of behaviours e.g. crying screaming running away from the phobic stimulus
32
what is avoidance?
considerable effort to prevent contact with phobic stimulus | makes every day life difficult
33
what is endurance?
alternative behaviour to avoidance | Involves remaining with the phobic stimulus in continuing to experience anxiety
34
what are emotional characteristics?
A persons feelings or mood
35
what are three examples of emotional characteristics of phobias?
anxiety fear unreasonable emotional response
36
What is anxiety?
unpleasant state of high arousal prevents individual relaxing difficult to experience positive emotion
37
what is fear?
immediate, extreme and unpleasant response when encountering of thinking about the phobic stimulus
38
what is an Unreasonable emotional response?
disproportionate to the threat posed e.g. an arachnophobic having a strong emotional response to a tiny spider
39
what are cognitive characteristics?
The process of knowing including thinking reasoning remembering and believing
40
what are three cognitive characteristics of phobias?
selective attention irrational beliefs cognitive distortions
41
what is selective attention?
selective attention to the phobic stimulus is when a person finds it hard to look away from it
42
what are irrational beliefs?
 unfounded thoughts in relation to phobic stimuli that can’t be easily explained and don’t have a basis in reality E.g. social phobia beliefs could include ‘if I blush people will think I’m weak’
43
what are cognitive distortions?
inaccurate and unrealistic thinking | E.g. mycophobics see mushrooms is disgusting
44
What is depression?
A mental disorder characterised by low mood and low energy levels
45
What are three behavioural characteristics of depression?
activity levels disruption to sleep and eating behaviour aggression and self harm
46
How does depression affect activity levels?
reduced levels of energy making them lethargic can lead to the withdrawal from work education and social life psychomotor agitation – individual struggles to relax e.g. paces
47
How does depression disrupt sleep in eating behaviour?
insomnia – reduced sleep Hypersomnia – increased sleep increased or decreased appetite causing weight gain or loss
48
How does depression influence aggression and self harm?
depression is associated with irritability which can cause verbal or physical aggression May lead to physical aggression directed against the self (self harm)
49
What are three emotional characteristics of depression?
lowered mood anger lowered self-esteem
50
What is lowered mood?
feelings of sadness and lethargic | Individuals often describe themselves as worthless or empty
51
How does depression affect anger?
increasing negative emotions decrease and positive emotions | negative emotions include anger which may be directed to the self or others
52
What is lowered self-esteem?
The individual dislikes themself | including self loathing and hatred
53
What are three cognitive characteristics of depression?
Poor concentration dwelling on the negative absolutist thinking
54
how does depression affect concentration?
 difficulty sticking to a task | difficulty making decisions
55
what is dwelling on the negative?
biased towards focusing on negative aspects of current situations and recalling unhappy memories instead of happy memories
56
What is absolutist thinking?
Black and white thinking | Situation is seen as unfortunate and a disaster
57
what is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)?
A condition characterised by obsessions and compulsive behaviour
58
What are three behavioural characteristics of OCD?
repetitive compulsions | compulsions to reduce anxiety avoidance
59
What are repetitive compulsions?
actions carried out repeatedly in a ritualistic way e.g. hand washing
60
How do you compulsions reduce anxiety?
compulsive behaviours are performed in an attempt to manage the anxiety produced by obsessions E.g. checking the door is locked or appliance is switched off
61
what is avoidance in OCD?
A way of managing OCD by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety E.g. avoiding bins because they carry germs can interfere with every day life
62
What is the cycle of OCD?
obsessive thought, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, temporary relief
63
what are emotional characteristics of OCD?
anxiety and distress depression guilt and disgust 
64
How does OCD create anxiety and distress?
obsessive thoughts unpleasant and frightening | The anxiety caused by compulsions can be overwhelming
65
How does OCD accompany depression?
Low mood and lack of enjoyment in activities | Compulsive behaviours bring temporary relief from anxiety
66
How does OCD cause guilt and discussed?
irrational guilt E.g. over a minor moral issue | disgust directed towards oneself or something external eg germs 
67
What are cognitive characteristics of OCD?
Obsessive thoughts cognitive coping strategies insight into excessive anxiety
68
What are obsessive thoughts?
Recurring intrusive thoughts e.g. being contaminated by germs/the door being unlocked meaning intruders can enter
69
How a cognitive coping strategies a characteristic of OCD?
individuals often adapt Cognitive coping strategies to deal with obsessions e.g. praying or meditating can manage anxiety and allow continuation of every day tasks 
70
How do you cognitive characteristics of OCD give an insight into excessive anxiety?
individuals with OCD are aware there obsessions and compulsions are not rational This is necessary for diagnosis of OCD Individuals may have catastrophic thoughts and tend to be hypervigilant – maintain constant alertness
71
what approach is used to explain and treat phobias?
behavioural
72
what is the two process model?
proposed by Mowrer (1960) - phobias are learning by classical conditioning and maintained by operant conditioning
73
how does classical conditioning cause a phobia?
``` UCS triggers fear response (UCR) NS is associated with the UCS NS because CS producing fear (CR) eg UCS-UCR being bitten causing anxiety NS+UCS bitten by a dog (previously didn’t cause anxiety) dog becomes CS causing CR of anxiety ```
74
what was the Little Albert study?
Watson and Rayner (1920) Albert played with a white rat and a loud noise was made by his ear (noise UCS) rat (NS) didn’t create fear until being paired with noise several times albert showed fear (CR) wit the rat (CS) Albert showed fear to other white furry objects eg santa
75
how does operant conditioning maintain a phobia?
negative reinforcement- individual produces behaviour that avoids something unpleasant a person avoids a phobic stimulus reducing anxiety and reinforces the behaviour maintaining the phobia
76
evaluation explaining phobias strength : application of Two process model
once avoidance is prevented it is no longer reinforced by the reduction of anxiety avoidance behaviour and therefore declines shows the value of the two process approach because it identifies a means of treating phobias
77
Evaluation explaining phobias limitation: no explanation for cognitive aspects
b
78
Evaluation explaining phobias strength: evidence linking phobias do bad experiences
two process model is used to explain behaviours there is a cognitive component of phobias-irrational beliefs two process model doesn’t explain all symptoms of phobias
79
Evaluation explaining phobias limitation: doesn’t explain all cases of phobias
d
80
what is systematic desensitisation?
reduce anxiety through counter conditioning | CS is paired with relaxation (becomes the CR) (reciprocal inhibition)
81
what is reciprocal inhibition?
not possible to be afraid and relaxed at the same time
82
what is an anxiety hierarchy?
client and therapist design anxiety hierarchy – fearful stimuli arranged in order from least to most frightening Client works through anxiety hierarchy from the bottom using relaxation techniques each time
83
What is flooding?
The client is exposed to an extreme form of the phobic stimulus in order to reduce anxiety Must have informed consent – client fully prepared and know what to expect
84
Evaluation treating phobias strength: evidence of effectiveness of SD
a
85
Evaluation treating phobias strength: SD is useful for people with learning disabilities
b
86
Evaluation treating phobias strength: flooding is cost-effective
c
87
Evaluation treating phobias limitation: flooding is traumatic
d
88
What approach is used to explain and treat depression?
Cognitive
89
what is becks negative triad?
1967 | suggested people are more prone to depression because of faulty information processing (have a negative self schema)
90
What is a negative self schema?
a self schema is a package of ideas and information developed through experience A person with a negative self schema interpret all information about themselves a negative way
91
What are the three elements to the negative triad?
negative view of the world negative view of the future negative view of oneself
92
What is Ellis’s ABC model?
that depression occurs when an activating event triggers an irrational belief which produces a consequence
93
What is an activating event?
Depression occurs when an individual experiences negative events
94
What is an irrational belief?
E.g. utopianism is the belief that the world must always be fair and just
95
what are emotional and behavioural consequences of an irrational belief?
E.g. an individual believes they must always succeed and when they fail the consequence is depression 
96
Evaluation explaining depression strength: supporting research for Bex model
a
97
Evaluation explaining depression strength: real world application
b
98
evaluation explaining depression limitation: Beck’s model only partially explains depression
c
99
evaluation explaining depression strength: application in treating depression
d
100
evaluation explaining depression limitation: only explains reactive depression
e
101
evaluation explaining depression limitation: ethical issues
f
102
what is cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)?
A method for treating mental disorders based on both cognitive and behavioural techniques cognitive: challenge negative irrational thoughts Behavioural: change behaviour so it’s more effective
103
what is Ellis’s REBT?
rational emotional behaviour therapy ABCDE model D=dispute (challenge) irrational beliefs E=effect
104
what is empirical argument?
disputing whether there is evidence to support irrational belief
105
what is logical argument?
disputing whether the negative thought actually followed the facts
106
what is behaviour it al activation?
gradually decrease avoidance and isolation and increase engagement in activities
107
evaluation | treating depression
a
108
evaluation | treating depression
b
109
evaluation | treating depression
c
110
evaluation | treating depression
d
111
what are candidate genes?
specific genes that creat vulnerability for OCD 5HT2-D - implicated in the transmission of serotonin across synapse dopamine genes are also implicated in OCD and may regulate mood
112
what does polygenic mean?
(OCD) is caused by several genes | Taylor (2013) - round 230 different genes involved in OCD
113
what does aetiologically heterogeneous mean?
one group of genes may cause OCD in one person but a different group of genes may cause it in another person
114
how do different genetic variations effect OCD?
different types of OCD may be a result of different genetic variations eg hoarding disorder/religious obsession
115
what is the effect of low serotonin levels?
neurotransmitters relay info from one neutron to another | low levels of serotonin means transmission of mood info doesn’t take place and mood is affected
116
what is the effect of dysfunctional/impaired areas of the brain on OCD?
frontal lobe impairment- responsible for logical thinking and decision making so impairment can cause hoarding disorder parahippocampal gyrus dysfunction- associated with processing unpleasant emotions and functions abnormally on OCD
117
evaluation | explaining OCD
a
118
evaluation | explaining OCD
b
119
evaluation | explaining OCD
c
120
evaluation | explaining OCD
d
121
evaluation | explaining OCD
e
122
how is drug therapy used to treat OCD?
increase/decrease levels of neurotransmitters to increase/decrease their activity OCD is associated with low levels of serotonin drugs are used to increase serotonin
123
what are SSRI’s?
selective serotonin reputable inhibitors prevent reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin in the brain increases the levels in the synapse compensates what is wrong with the serotonin system in OCD typical dosage-20mg daily for 3-4 months
124
how is CBT used to treat OCD?
used alongside drugs like SSRI | drug reduces emotional symptoms so the client can engage more effectively with CBT
125
what are two alternatives to SSRI’s?
tricyclics | SNRI’s
126
what are tricyclics?
an older type of antidepressant | same effect on serotonin levels as SSRI but has more sever side effects
127
what are SNRI’s?
serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors | increase levels of serotonin and noradrenaline
128
evaluation | treating OCD
a
129
evaluation | treating OCD
b
130
evaluation | treating OCD
c
131
evaluation | treating OCD
d

psychology (16 decks)

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