Psychopathology Flashcards
(73 cards)
1
Q
What are the definitions of abnormality?
A
- deviation from social norms
- failure to function adequately by Rosenham and Seligman
- statistical infrequency
- deviation from ideal mental help by Marie Jahoda
2
Q
What does deviation from social norms means?
A
Behaviour that doesn’t follow social patterns or social rules and is seen as abnormal behaviour, which is unacceptable.
3
Q
Advantages of deviation from social norms. (3)
- protects
- individuality
- disorders
A
- it distinguishes desirable and non desirable behaviour which protects members of the public from possible dangers
- it creates a sense of individuality for the person
- it can help identify people with mental disorders
4
Q
Disadvantages of deviation from social norms. (2)
- judgements
- context
A
- must be cautious when making judgements about whether someone is mentally disturbed or not
- contact must be taken into account as in some societies a deviation may be unacceptable but in another society it may not be a deviation at all
5
Q
What is the Failure to Function Adequately Model?
A
This model suggests that abnormality is based on the fact that a person can not cope with everyday life and is not functioning adequately. It uses the GAF Scale to assess the rate of psychological, social and occupational functioning.
6
Q
What are the criteria for the Failure to Function Adequately model? (7)
A
- Suffering
- Unpredictability and Loss of Control
- Maladaptiveness
- Observer Discomfort
- Vividness and Unconventionality
- Irrationality and Incomprehensibility
- Violation of Moral Standards
7
Q
Advantages of the Failure to Function Adequately model? (2)
- GAF
- problems
A
- it uses the GAF scale which is makes it accurate
- it can identify a person with psychological problems
8
Q
Disadvantages of the Failure to Function Adequately model. (3)
- dysfunction
- cultures
- subjective
A
- abnormality doesn’t mean a person is dysfunctional; some people have a psychological abnormality but lead a normal life.
- there a different norms in different cultures
- it is difficult to measure and analyse as it is subjective and therefore not scientific
9
Q
Who constructed the Failure to Function Adequately model?
A
Roseham and Seligman
10
Q
What is statistical infrequency?
A
When a person possesses less common characteristics that are statistically rare.
11
Q
Advantages of statistical infrequency. (2)
- objective
- behaviour
A
- data is objective, scientific and unbiased
- sometimes just because behaviour is statistically infrequent it doesn’t mean they are abnormal or require treatment (e.g high IQ)
12
Q
Disadvantages of statistical infrequency. (2)
- labelling
- divide
A
- it involves labelling someone as abnormal has a negative effect on their self confidence and self esteem
- there is a subjective cut off point between abnormality and normality; the divide between them is subjective
13
Q
What is the Deviation from Ideal Mental Health model?
A
This suggests that if a person is deviating form idea mental health and they are failing to reach self actualisation then this is an indicator for abnormality.
14
Q
Who constructed the Deviation from Ideal Mental Health model?
A
Marie Jahoda
15
Q
What are the criteria for the Deviation from Ideal Mental Health model? (6)
A
- Autonomy
- Perception of Reality
- Personal Growth
- Integration
- Environmental Mastery
- Self Attitudes
16
Q
Advantages of the Deviation from Ideal Mental Health model. (2)
- positive
- dysfunction
A
- it is positive and productive and helps a persona reach self actualisation and become a psychologically healthy
- highlights target areas for dysfunction to work on and helps to treat different disorders
17
Q
Disadvantages of the Deviation from Ideal Mental Health model. (2)
- abstract
- impossible
A
- it is based on abstract concepts and ideals and is difficult to define and measure so it is not objective or scientific
- it’s impossible to achieve all 6 criteria at once
18
Q
What are behavioural characteristics of phobias? (4)
A
- Avoidance
- Freeze/Faint
- Disruption of Functioning
- Panic
19
Q
What are emotional characteristics of phobias? (3)
A
- Fear
- Panic and Anxiety
- Emotions
20
Q
What are cognitive characteristics of phobias? (4)
A
- Irrational
- Insight
- Cognitive Distortions
- Selective Attention
21
Q
What is the behavioural approach to explaining phobias?
A
The two process model; phobias are learnt through classical conditioning or the social learning theory and maintained through operant conditioning.
22
Q
Who conducted the Little Albert experiment and when?
A
Watson and Rayner in 1920
23
Q
Advantages of the Little Albert experiment. (1)
- waterfall
A
- a woman who had a phobia of running water after getting her foot stuck in some rocks near a waterfall recovered but was still afraid of the sound of running water; an association was built.
24
Q
Disadvantages of the Little Albert experiment. (2)
- repeated
- experiences
A
- this experiment was only done once and has not been repeated. It cannot be repeated today for ethical reasons.
- some people have traumatic experiences but don’t get a phobia
25
What negative reinforcement in operant conditioning?
Avoiding the objects to reduce risks
26
What is positive reinforcement in operant conditioning?
Avoiding the object and not feeling fear is a reward
27
Advantages of the two process model. (1)
| - clear
- it has been praised for having two clear steps that are accurate.
28
Disadvantages of the two process model. (2)
- ignores
- limited
- it ignores biological and evolutionary factors and ignores genetic vulnerability
- it doesn’t explain phobias in adults so it is limited
29
What is the behavioural approach to treating phobias?
Systematic Desensitisation and Flooding
30
What is the process of systematic desensitisation?
1) Hierarchy of Needs
2) Relaxation Techniques
3) Exposure
31
Advantages of systematic desensitisation. (2)
- Peter
- ethics
- an experiment was conducted on Little Peter where a white rabbit was presented at gradually closer distances; anxiety lessened and he became affectionate towards the rabbit
- it’s less traumatic so no ethical problems
32
Disadvantages of systematic desensitisation. (1)
| - difficult
- it is not always practical and is difficult to arrange/control/apply to real life
33
What is flooding?
Directly and immediately exposing the patient to a very frightening and extreme situation involving the phobic object.
34
What is mustabatory thinking?
Beliefs that are bound to cause disappointment and are too idealistic.
35
Advantages of flooding. (2)
- car
- effective
- a girl had a phobia of being in a car so she was forced into a car and driven around for four hours. Her hysteria exhausted her and her phobia was gone.
- it is effective and rapid and there are immediate improvements; they are encouraged to continue self directed exposure.
36
Disadvantages of flooding. (1)
| - traumatic
- it is a highly traumatic experience and patients may be unwilling to continue which is a waste of money and time as the patient is not cured.
37
What are the behavioural characteristics of depression? (6)
- Shift in Energy Levels
- Social Impairment
- Weight Changes
- Poor Personal Hygiene
- Sleep Pattern Disturbance
- Aggression and Self Harm
38
What are the emotional characteristics of depression? (4)
- Loss of Enthusiasm
- Constant Depressed Mood
- Worthlessness
- Anger
39
What are the cognitive characteristics of depression? (6)
- Delusions
- Reduced Concentration
- Thoughts of Death
- Poor Memory
- Negative Thinking
- Absolutist Thinking
40
What is the cognitive approach to explaining depression?
The Cognitive Triad by Beck and Ellis’ ABC Model.
41
Who constructed the Cognitive Triad model?
Beck
42
Who constructed the ABC Model?
Ellis
43
Advantages of the Cognitive Triad. (1)
| - pregnant
- 65 pregnant women were assessed for post natal depression and those who had high cognitive vulnerability were more likely to suffer post natal depression.
44
Disadvantages of the Cognitive Triad. (2)
- cause
- behavioural
- cause and effect is not clear
| - it ignores the behavioural approach
45
What are the three stages of the Cognitive Triad?
1) Negative thoughts about self
2) Negative thoughts about the world
3) Negative thoughts about the future
46
What does the ABC stand for in Ellis’ ABC Model?
Activating Event, Beliefs and Consequences.
47
Advantages of Ellis’ ABC Model. (1)
| - statements
- depressed patients were given negative thought statements and they became even more depressed
48
Disadvantages of Ellis’ ABC Model. (2)
- blame
- biological
- it blames the client
| - ignores the biological approach
49
What are the therapies used to treat depression?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy by Beck and Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy by Ellis.
50
What is CBT?
Session used to turn challenge irrational thoughts and feelings
51
Advantages of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. (2)
- drug
- long
- it is widely respected and supported and especially good with drug therapy
- it is a long term cure and has lasting positive outcomes. The person is less likely to relapse which is cost effective for the NHS
52
Disadvantages of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. (1)
| - drug
- anti-depressant drugs are better as they require less effort and are cost effective
53
What is Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT)?
Sessions used to make a client think in a more positive and rational way.
54
Advantages of Rational Emotive Therapy. (1)
| - stroke
- found that it is effective in treating depressive stroke victims so is suitable for specific groups
55
Disadvantages of Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy. (2)
- cause
- talk
- not clear whether depression is a cause or a symptom and if it is a symptom then REBT doesn’t tackle the root cause and the depression may return
- the patient needs to be articulate and needs to be able to talk; they may not feel comfortable doing so, so it depends on the skills and expertise of the therapist
56
What are behavioural characteristics of OCD? (5)
- Compulsive Behaviours
- Hinder Everyday Functioning
- Social Impairment
- Repetitive
- Avoidance
57
What are emotional characteristics of OCD? (3)
- Anxiety and Distress
- Accompanying Depression
- Guilt and Disgust
58
What are cognitive characteristics of OCD? (5)
- Obsessions
- Recognised as self generated
- Realisation of Inappropriateness
- Attention Bias
- Uncontrollable Urges
59
What is the biological approach to explaining OCD?
Genetics; The COMT gene and the CERT gene; and the neural explanations; neurotransmitters/biochemistry
60
What is the COMT gene?
Regulates production of dopamine and these are found to be more common in OCD patients. High levels of dopamine cause OCD.
61
What is the SERT gene?
Affects the transportation of serotonin and low levels of serotonin cause OCD. The mutation of thus gene causes OCD.
62
Advantages of the genetics idea behind biologically explaining OCD. (1)
- twins
- from a meta-analysis of 14 twin studies of OCD found that MZ are twice more likely than DZ to be concordant for OCD
63
Disadvantages of genetics as a biological explanation of explaining OCD. (2)
- 100%
- diathesis
- concordance rates are not 100% so they are not entirely genetic as they ignore the psychological and environmental factors
- it could just be a combination of genes and the environment so interactionists would disagree as this doesn’t follow the diathesis stress model.
64
Which area of the brain is linked to dopamine and serotonin activity?
The frontal lobes
65
Advantages of the neural explanation as a biological explanation for OCD. (1)
- dopamine
- giving OCD sufferers a drug lowered dopamine levels and alleviated some symptoms
66
Disadvantages of the neural explanation biologically explaining OCD. (2)
- cause
- co-morbidity
- neurotransmitters might not cause OCD it may be an effect
- OCD is co morbid with depression and it could be an effect of depression and high levels of dopamine causes other psychological illnesses like schizophrenia too
67
What are the therapies used to treat OCD?
SSRI drugs and Tricyclics drugs
68
What do SSRI drugs do?
They increase serotonin levels in the brain by blocking nerve cells so more serotonin is available to reabsorb. It is a good influence on mood, emotion and sleep and decreases aggression, anger and irritability.
69
Advantages of SSRI drugs. (1)
| - cheap
- it is relatively cheap and cost effective
70
Disadvantages of SSRI drugs. (2)
- alternative
- side
- it doesn’t work for some poeple so they may have to take another drug
- there are terrible side effects which may make the patient stop taking the drug temporarily; like indigestion, blurred vision and loss of sex drive. This leads to an increase in relapse rates.
71
What are tricyclic drugs?
It inhibits the reuptake of serotonin but also affects other neurotransmitters too. It is an alternative to SSRI’s and calm a person down.
72
Advantages of tricyclics drugs. (1)
| - administered
- they do not need to be administered so it’s not time consuming and does not interfere with daily life
73
Disadvantages of tricyclics drugs. (2)
- time
- tolerance
- it takes a long time to effectively work and sometimes the side effects come first. Patients could stop taking them and relapse rates would increase.
- the patient could develop a tolerance which means a higher dosage would need to be given. This higher dosage could mean that the person could develop an addiction to the drug and overdose
