Psychopathology Flashcards
(31 cards)
What is a key strength of Beck’s cognitive theory of depression?
Grazioli & Terry (2000) found pregnant women with high cognitive vulnerability were more likely to develop postnatal depression.
Supports Beck’s idea that negative schemas and cognitive bias predict depression.
Counterpoint: Most evidence is correlational – can’t prove negative thinking causes depression.
What practical benefit does Beck’s theory provide?
Forms the basis of CBT, where therapists help clients identify and challenge components of the negative triad.
Widely used and effective in practice, showing real-world value.
Counterpoint: May not address severe symptoms like hallucinations or delusions.
What is a limitation of Beck’s theory in explaining depression?
It doesn’t explain all symptoms—some sufferers experience anger, hallucinations or bizarre beliefs like Cotard syndrome.
Suggests Beck’s theory may only explain certain types of depression.
What strength does Ellis’ ABC model offer in understanding depression?
REBT (based on ABC model) is effective at challenging irrational beliefs, reducing depressive symptoms.
Evidence from CBT trials supports this link between cognition and mood.
Counterpoint: Effectiveness doesn’t prove causation – irrational beliefs may result from depression, not cause it.
What is a weakness of Ellis’ explanation in terms of causality?
It’s unclear if irrational thoughts cause depression or are a symptom.
The correlational nature of most research limits conclusions about cause and effect.
What is a general issue with both cognitive explanations of depression?
hey are reductionist, ignoring biological factors like serotonin imbalance.
This limits their explanatory power and can lead to blaming the patient.
Counterpoint: Still valuable as part of a holistic approach.
What research supports CBT’s effectiveness for depression?
Santoft et al. (2019): meta-analysis of 34 studies found CBT effective long-term. Cuijpers et al. (2019) found CBT had longer-lasting effects than medication and was preferred by patients.
Supports CBT as a first-line treatment.
What is a limitation of CBT for some individuals with depression?
May not be effective for those with severe depression or learning difficulties who can’t engage well with therapy.
Counterpoint: Lewis & Lewis (2016) argue it may still be suitable with adaptations.
Why is CBT considered cost-effective?
Short duration (6–12 weeks) and increasing access through online delivery (e.g. IAPT) saves clinic time and money.
Increases availability and efficiency of mental health services.
What is a key criticism of CBT regarding its focus?
CBT ignores biological causes like hormonal changes (e.g. postpartum depression, thyroid issues).
Limits its ability to treat depression with biological roots.
Counterpoint: A combined approach (CBT + medication) may offer the most effective treatment
What evidence supports a genetic basis for OCD?
Nestadt et al. (2010): Identical twins had 68% concordance vs. 31% for non-identical. Marini & Stebnicki (2012): First-degree relatives 4x more likely to develop OCD.
Strong heritability component.
What is a key methodological issue with OCD genetics research?
Much of the genetic research comes from animal studies (e.g. Ahmari, 2016: induced OCD-like symptoms in mice via genetic alterations).
Findings may not fully generalise to humans due to species differences.
What is a counterpoint to the genetic explanation of OCD?
Cromer et al. (2007): Many OCD patients had past trauma, supporting a diathesis-stress model.
Suggests environmental factors also play a role.
What is a strength of the biological explanation of OCD?
Supported by the effectiveness of SSRIs and the link between OCD and Parkinson’s (Nestadt et al., 2010).
Adds credibility to the serotonin hypothesis.
Counterpoint: Most studies occur in labs = lower ecological validity.
What are advantages of using SSRIs to treat OCD?
SSRIs are cost-effective and convenient. Require minimal effort from patient compared to CBT.
Makes them suitable for public health systems like the NHS.
How does Ellis’s theory show real-world value?
Led to development of REBT, a widely-used, structured intervention for depression.
Practical application supports the explanatory power of cognitive models.
Counterpoint: Not effective for everyone – especially those with severe depression or limited motivation.
What research supports the use of SSRIs in treating OCD?
Soomro et al. (2009): SSRIs significantly more effective than placebo in reducing OCD symptoms in short term.
What are the limitations of drug treatments for OCD?
SSRIs can cause side effects (e.g. nausea, sleep issues) and may only manage symptoms.
Risk of dependency and relapse when medication stops.
Why might combining treatments be more effective for OCD?
SSRIs improve mood and concentration, which helps patients engage with CBT.
Supports a multi-modal approach to treatment.
What’s a major criticism of the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality?
It labels desirable traits like high IQ as abnormal and cannot distinguish between desirable/undesirable rare traits.
Limits its usefulness as a clinical definition.
Why is deviation from social norms culturally biased?
Norms vary across cultures and historical periods.
E.g., homosexuality was once seen as abnormal. Limits cross-cultural application.
What is a key limitation of failure to function adequately as a definition?
Who judges what’s ‘adequate’? Some maladaptive behaviour (e.g. eccentricity) may not indicate abnormality.
Subjective, potentially discriminatory.
Why is deviation from ideal mental health considered unrealistic?
Jahoda’s criteria (e.g. resistance to stress, autonomy) are idealistic; few people meet all.
May pathologise normal behaviour.
What research supports classical conditioning in the acquisition of phobias?
Watson & Rayner’s ‘Little Albert’ study – conditioned to fear white rats.
Demonstrates how phobias can be learned via association.
Counterpoint: Not all phobias follow trauma—some lack identifiable conditioning event.
