Psychopathology

Question 1

How is statistical infrequency best described?

Answer 1

A behaviour that is RELATIVELY unusual, compared to the wider population.

Question 2

What type of characteristic is statistical infrequency good for?

Answer 2

Characteristics that can be reliably measured.

Question 3

What is meant by normal distribution and what shaped-graph does it form?

Answer 3

How most people score around the average, and the further you stray from this, the less the frequency.
This forms a bell-shaped curve.

Question 4

What IQ is required for an IDD diagnosis?

Answer 4

Below 70IQ.

Question 5

What is a strength of statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality? How can you counter this?

Answer 5

Clinical application - in IDD
And ALSO in Beck’s depression index, a score of 30+ indicates severe depression which may cause someone to get help.
Counter: SI does not account for the opposite side of the spectrum, over 130IQ is abnormal but not negative and a low BDI score is good but still “unusual”.

Question 6

What is a limitation of

Question 7

What is a limitation of using SI as a definition of abnormality?

Answer 7

Not everybody would benefit from being labelled as unusual, some people are defined as abnormal by SI but can still cope just fine.

Question 8

What best defines deviation from social norms?

Answer 8

When a person behaves differently to how society would expect them to.

Question 9

What are is deviation from social norms BOUND by?

Answer 9

Culture AND time.

Question 10

How is APD an example of deviation from social norms?

Answer 10

Behaviour is impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible. DSM-5 states that an important aspect of APD is the fact that they lack respect for the norms of a society. We are assuming that they are abnormal because they don’t conform to social norms.

Question 11

What is a strength of using deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality?

Answer 11

Clinical usages, in diagnosing APD, as all of the symptoms given are examples of deviations from social norms.

Question 12

What is a limitation of deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality?

Answer 12

It is culturally and situationally relative. E.g hearing voices may be normal in some cultures but seen as schizo in others.
Also acting in a certain way may be situational so can’t generalise.

Question 13

What is a limitation of using deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality in relation to human rights?

Answer 13

Labelling someone as abnormal solely due to not conforming to norms may leave them open to human rights abuses.

Question 14

What are some signs that FFA is occurring?

Answer 14

Inability to meet basic hygiene needs/ everyday needs.
Inability to hold down a job/RS.
Can’t maintain interpersonal rules such as personal space.
Severe emotional distress.
Irrational/dangerous behaviour.

Question 15

What best describes failure to function adequately?

Answer 15

When somebody is no longer able to cope with the demands of everyday life.

Question 16

What is a strength of the failure to function criterion?

Answer 16

It represents a threshold for when to seek professional help, many people have mental health issues but it is often when FFA occurs that they seek/are recommended to seek help.

Question 17

What is a limitation of FFA in relation to social control?

Answer 17

Just because someone is living a non-standard lifestyle, does not mean they are “failing” per se. Some people prefer to not have a job “off the grid” or enjoy dangerous activities. It puts an unfair label on these people. This may cause their freedom of choice to be restricted.

Question 18

What is the eval extra that says FFA may not be abnormal?

Answer 18

There are circumstances where FFA is perfectly acceptable (such as bereavement). However, it is equally true that during these situations people should still be looked out for and helped where needed.

Question 19

What is the criteria that Jahoda proposed to say that we are in good mental health?

Answer 19

We have no distress
We have a rational sense of self
We self actualise
We can cope with stress
We have a rational world view
We have good self-esteem/lack guilt
We are autonomous
We successfully work/enjoy leisure

Question 20

What is a strength of the deviation from ideal mental health definition?

Answer 20

It is highly comprehensive, a wide range of aspects have been covered meaning many different approaches can be taken to treating patients.

Question 21

What is a cultural limitation of Jahoda’s mental health criterion?

Answer 21

They aren’t applicable to all cultures in the same way. It is based on US and European culture mainly. For example, autonomy is not as highly valued in other (especially collectivist) cultures.

Question 22

What is a limitation of Jahoda’s mental health criteria? (Unrealistic)

Answer 22

The standard is incredibly high, making it feel impossible to live up to.

Question 23

What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?

Answer 23

Panic, endurance, avoidance.

Question 24

What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?

Answer 24

Anxiety, fear, unreasonable response.

Question 25

What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?

Answer 25

Selective attention, irrational beliefs, cognitive distortions.

Question 26

What are the behavioural characteristics of depression?

Answer 26

Activity levels impacted, sleep/eating behaviours, aggression/self harm.

Question 27

What are the emotional characteristics of depression?

Answer 27

Lowered mood, anger, self esteem.

Question 28

What are the cognitive characteristics of depression?

Answer 28

Concentration levels, dwelling on the negatives, absolutist thinking.

Question 29

What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?

Answer 29

Compulsions are repetitive, compulsions reduce anxiety, avoidance.

Question 30

What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?

Answer 30

Accompanying depression, anxiety/stress, guilt/disgust.

Question 31

What are the cognitive characteristics of depression?

Answer 31

Obsessive thoughts, cognitive coping strategies, insight into excessive anxiety.

Question 32

What are the three distinctions of phobias made by the DSM-5?

Answer 32

Specific phobias, agoraphobia, social phobias.

Question 33

What are the DSM-5 categories of depression?

Answer 33

Major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Question 34

What is reciprocal inhibition?

Answer 34

The way in which anxiety prevents relaxation and vice versa.

Question 35

What neurotransmitter is associated with OCD?

Answer 35

Low serotonin levels.

Question 36

How do SSRIs work? (Explain the serotonin system)

Answer 36

They work on the serotonin system, which is the system by which the neurotransmitter travels along the presynaptic neuron, across the synapse to send the signal across to the postsynaptic neuron, and then goes back to the presynaptic neuron to be broken down and re used. SSRIs block serotonin from being taken back in to the pre-synaptic neuron. SSRI’s INCREASE levels of serotonin in the synapse to make up for the lack of it from OCD.

Question 37

How are SSRI’s taken and what is the dosage?

Answer 37

Capsules OR liquid. Around 20mg daily (may take more if needed)

Question 38

What are SSRI’s often used alongside to treat OCD.

Answer 38

CBT.

Question 39

What is the example of an SSRI?

Answer 39

Fluoxetine.

Question 40

What alternatives for SSRI’s are used?

Answer 40

Tricyclics and SNRIs.

Question 41

What are SNRIs?

Answer 41

They are antidepressant drugs that work on NORADRENALINE AND SEROTONIN.

Question 42

What does SNRI stand for?

Answer 42

Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors.

Question 43

What does SSRI stand for?

Answer 43

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

Question 44

How do tricyclics work?

Answer 44

They work on MULTIPLE SYSTEMS, including the serotonin system.

Question 45

Why are tricyclics often used as a last resort?

Answer 45

They can have bad side effects.

Question 46

What is the evidence of effectiveness for drug treatments of OCD? (17 studies)

Answer 46

17 studies compared SSRIs to placebos and found SIGNIFICANTLY better outcomes for drug patients than placebos in all studies. Found that typical symptoms were reduced for around 70% of people on SSRIs.

Question 47

What is a strength of drugs to treat OCD in general?

Answer 47

Drugs are CHEAPER compared to other psychological treatments, meaning they are cost effective. Good use of limited funds. It is also LESS DISRUPTIVE TO EVERYDAY LIFE.

Question 48

What is a limitation of drug treatments of OCD?

Answer 48

There can be serious side effects, such as indigestion, blurred vision and loss of sex drive from taking SSRIs. With tricyclics, SEs can be serious, 1 in 100 people will become aggressive and experience heart problems.

Question 49

Why might effectiveness for drugs on OCD be biased?

Answer 49

Many argue that researchers are paid/sponsored by drug companies to push positive reviews and make them seem more effective.

Question 50

What is the study from Lewis in relation to genetic explanations for OCD and what did he find?

Answer 50

Of his OCD patients, 37% had parents with it, suggesting that it runs in the family.

Question 51

What are candidate genes?

Answer 51

Genes that increase the vulnerability of a particular disorder.

Question 52

What is the candidate gene linked to OCD?

Answer 52

5HT1-D beta gene - implicated in the transport of serotonin ACROSS synapses.

Question 53

What is the research from Taylor, suggesting that OCD is polygenic? (AO1)

Answer 53

He analysed previous studies and found evidence of up to 230 genes being involved in OCD.

Question 54

What is meant by ateologically heterogenous in relation to OCD?

Answer 54

The origins of OCD may vary from one person to another, one group of genes may cause OCD in one person but not in another.

Question 55

What is the research support for the genetic basis of OCD? (Nesdatd et al.)

Answer 55

Nesdatd et al. reviewed twin studies, finding that 68% identical twins (MZ) shared OCD compared to 31% in DZ twins. Genetic make-up has a strong influence on the development of OCD.

Question 56

What is a limitation of the genetic basis of OCD? (Trauma research)

Answer 56

The fact that there are also environmental risk factors, such as trauma in the past. Research found that over half of the OCD clients in a sample had experienced trauma in their past. Diathesis-stress.

Question 57

What is the limitation of using animal studies to show the genetic basis of certain behaviours and linking it to OCD.

Answer 57

Not generalisable (mice study repetitive behaviours).

Question 58

What is the role of serotonin in OCD? (neural explanations)

Answer 58

Low serotonin = low mood Some cases of OCD can be attributed to dysfunctional serotonin systems.

Question 59

What is the decision making aspect of neural explanations for OCD?

Answer 59

Cases of OCD seem to be associated with impaired decision-making, which may be associated with unusual functioning in frontal lobes and parahippocampal gyrus.

Question 60

What is the role of the frontal lobes of the brain? (Neural explanations)

Answer 60

Responsible for logical thinking/making rational decisions.

Question 61

What is the left parahippocampal gyrus associated with? (Neural explanations ocd)

Answer 61

Processing unpleasant emotions.

Question 62

What is a limitation of the neural model of OCD?

Answer 62

The fact that there is a co-morbidity with depression, a disorder that is ALSO associated with serotonin levels, meaning it is difficult to know if it is due to one or the other.

Question 63

What is the limitation of correlation vs causality in terms of the neural approach to OCD?

Answer 63

The link to serotonin and OCD, is simply that - a link. Merely a correlation which is NOT causation.