Psychopathology Flashcards
(32 cards)
What are the 4 ways to define abnormality?
Statistical infrequency
Deviation from social norms
Deviation from ideal mental health
Failure to function adequately
What is statistical infrequency?
It’s behaviour which is not common. When plotted on a normal distribution curve, statistical infrequency occurs in the top and bottom 2%.
Practical application of Statistical infrequency: what is intellectual disability disorder ?
Problems in both intellectual and adaptive functioning
Assessed with an exam, low IQ around 70-75 shows limited intellectual functioning
Practical application of Statistical infrequency: what is intellectual disability disorder ?
Problems in both intellectual and adaptive functioning
Assessed with an exam, low IQ around 70-75 shows limited intellectual functioning
Advantages of statistical infrequency
Objective to define abnormal behaviour
Can be used to predict normal development of children
Standardised testing
Disadvantages of statistical infrequency
Rare behaviour might be desirable- high IQ
Doesn’t account for cultural differences- religion believe it’s normal to hear God
Ignores common maladaptive behaviours - anxiety and depression
What is Deviation from social norms ?
Social normals are expected behavioural traits but those who deviate could be said to be abnormal
What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD ?
Compulsive repeated behaviour
What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD ?
Irrational thoughts, intrusive thoughts
What are the emotional characteristics of OCD ?
Anxiety and temporary relief from doing rituals
What are the genetic explanations for OCD ?
Clifford - in 419 twins, 50% MZ twins shared OCD gene compared to 26% DZ twins sharing OCD gene
Taylor- OCD is polygenic -230 genes involved
Lewis - found that 37% of patients with OCD their parents also had it
What are the neurological explanations of OCD ?
Lateral frontal lobe - if damage leads to irrational thoughts
Parahippocampl gyrus- responsible for regulation of anxiety
Lower levels of serotonin lead to someone feeling more anxious which leads to OCD
Evaluation of both genetic and neurological explanations of OCD
• Practical application - drugs are effective when reducing symptoms
• no cause and effect with levels of serotonin
• no common faulty brain structures
• Deterministic
What are the biological treatments of OCD
Drug therapy which aims to reduce OCD symptoms. SSRIs block the re-uptake at the presynaptic neurone,
Increased post synaptic potential lowering anxiety
What are the behavioural characteristics of Phobias ?
Panic
Avoidance
Endurance
What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias ?
Irrational thoughts
Cognitive distortions
What are the emotional characteristics of phobias ?
Anxiety
Unpleasant state of arousal
What is the two process model
Phobia is learnt through classical conditioning
And then reinforced/ maintained though operate conditioning
What is systemic desensitisation ?
Slow process of reducing phobia
1- make relaxation techniques
2 - anxiety hierarchy
3- work from the bottom to the top
Evaluation of systematic desensitisation to treat phobias
Gradual exposure - more ethical
Expensive
Deals with the cause of phobia
Difficult to access
What is flooding ?
Immediate exposure the the phobic stimulus
Evaluation of flooding.
Deals with cause of phobia
More cost effective
Unethical - Wolpe - hospitalisation
What are the behavioural characteristics of Depression ?
Shift in energy
Insomnia or oversleeping
Change in appetite
What are the cognitive characteristics of Depression ?
Delusions
Reduced concentration
Irrational thoughts
Biased recall of events
