Psychopathology Flashcards
(45 cards)
Outline what statistical infrequency is. (Definition of abnormality).
Refers to behaviours which are not common. Bottom 2% of top 2% when plotted on a normal distribution curve.
Evaluate statistical infrequency.
+ Uses statisitical measures and does not rely on subjective opinions meaning it reduces the likelihood of professionals making decisions on personal bias or stereotypes.
- Some rare behaviour are desirable for example high IQ so perhaps not an abnormality.
- Labelling someone as abnormal can lead to a poor self image or discrimination.
Outline deviation from social norms. (Definition of abnormality).
Someone is seen as abnormal if their thinking or behaviour violates the unwritten social rules about what is acceptable.
Evaluate deviation from social norms.
- Cultural relativism - social norms differ between cultures and what is considered normal in one culture may not be in another. This can lead to people being wrongfully labelled.
- It relies on the context of the behaviour for instance screaming at a party may be seen as normal compared to in the street.
Outline failure to function adequately. (Definition of abnormality).
Where a person cannot function in everyday life for instance not being able to attend work.
Features of dysfunction - Personal distress, irrationality.
Evaluate failure to function adequately.
+ considers personal experiences of the patient and does not simply make a judgement without taking the personal viewpoint of the sufferer into consideration.
- Cultural relavitism.
Outline deviation from ideal mental health (definition of abnormality).
Jahoda created a criteria when someone’s behaviour doesn’t meet this they are considered abnormal.
No personal distress.
Rational.
Self actualise.
Resilient.
High self esteem.
Autonomy.
Evaluate deviation from ideal mental health.
- People experience symptoms described by Jahoda. - Unrealistic criteria.
- Cultural relativism - other cultures its normal to hear voices.
Outline what a phobia is.
An anxiety disorder which can cause an irrational fear of a particular object or situation.
Outline behavioural characteristics of phobias.
Panic - crying, screaming.
Avoidance.
Outline cognitive characteristics of phobias.
Irrational thought processes.
Person knows the fear is excessive.
Outline emotional characteristics of phobias.
Anxiety/fear.
Prevents relaxing and positive emotion.
Outline what the two process model is.
It suggests that phobias are initially developed due to classical conditioning and then maintained through operant conditioning.
Outline the two process model steps to create a phobia.
Step 1: Phobia is learnt through classical conditioning. The phobic stimulus was initially neutral but has become associated with an unconditioned stimulus which does cause fear.
Step 2: The phobia is maintained through operant conditioning.
When answering provide examples or link to stimulus if given.
Evaluate the two process model.
+ Little Albert was a 9-month-old baby who initially showed no fear of a white rat.
Researchers paired the white rat (neutral stimulus) with a loud, frightening noise (unconditioned stimulus — hitting a metal bar behind him).
The noise naturally caused Albert to cry (unconditioned response).
After several pairings, Albert began to cry just at the sight of the rat, even without the noise.
🔁 Findings:
Albert developed a phobia of the white rat (now a conditioned stimulus).
His fear generalised to similar objects: rabbits, fur coats, even a Santa Claus mask.
+ practical application to therapy such as systematic desensitisation.
Name the two types treatments for phobias.
Systematic desensitisation
Flooding
Outline systematic desensetisation (behavioural therapy for phobias).
Gradually reduce phobia through the principles of classical conditioning. They go through counterconditioning where a new positive response to the phobic stimulus is learned (relaxation instead of anxiety)
There are three steps:
Patients are taught how to relax. This could be through breathing techniques or anti - anxiety drugs.
Create an anxiety hierarchy where participant puts their phobic stimulus in order from least to most anxiety inducing.
The patient is then exposed to the bottom of the hierarchy and only moves up once they can remain relaxed.
Outline evaluation of systematic desensitisation.
+ Mcgrath found 75% of patients were successfully treated.
+ More ethical.
- Can take time and therefore be less economical.
Outline flooding (behavioural therapy for phobias).
The participant is exposed to the anxiety inducing stimulus immediately the participant is unable to avoid their phobia and therefore through continuous exposure, anxiety levels eventually decrease.
As exhaustion sets in the participant may begin to feel a sense of calm and relief which creates a new positive association to the stimulus.
Outline evaluation flooding.
+ Cost effective. Research has shown it is equally as effective and takes much more time to achieve positive results.
- Can be highly traumatic for patients as it creates a high level of anxiety. Some patients have become so anxious they have required hospitalisation.
- Ethical issues.
Outline what OCD is.
A serious anxiety related condition where a person experiences frequent unwelcome obsessional thoughts, often followed by repetition compulsions.
What is the OCD cycle?
Obsessions - anxiety - compulsions - relief.
Outline behavioural characteristics of OCD.
Compulsive repetitive behaviours performed to reduce anxiety.
Outline emotional characteristics of OCD.
Anxiety and distress.
Depression.
Compulsions bring temporary relief.
