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A Level: Psychology > Psychopathology > Flashcards

Psychopathology Flashcards

(60 cards)

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1
Q

Define statistical deviation

A

It is mathematical and occurs rarely. This abnormality is based on infrequency

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2
Q

How is someone statistically infrequent

Name an example

A

If they don’t fall within the average of the rest of the population

Albert Einstein

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3
Q

What is an advantage of statistical deviation

A

It’s an objective measurement

There is no opinion involved which means there is no bias- better than the subjective definition

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4
Q

What are two disadvantages of statistical deviation

A

1) Some abnormal behaviour is desirable

Eg being overly intelligent does not require treatment it is desirable

2) the problem of being labelled
There are negative associations with labels
Negative effect on the way that others view them and the way they view themselves

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5
Q

Define deviation from social norms

Give an example

A

Behaviour that is different from accepted standards of behaviour

Walked around with no clothes on

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6
Q

Evaluate deviation from social norms: two disadvantages

A

Cultural relativism- social norms vary from culture to culture

Human rights abuses- deviance from social norms to understand abnormality can lead to the abuse of human rights

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7
Q

Define failure to function adequately

A

When a person may cross the line between normal and abnormal. The experience severe personal distress and can be considered a danger to themselves

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8
Q

Evaluate failure to function adequately

A

✅includes subjective experience:
Acknowledges the experiences of the patient is important

🚨cultural relativism
What can be considered failing to function may differ from culture to culture

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9
Q

Define cultural relativism

A

Norms and values can only be understood and meaningful when considered within its real cultural context

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10
Q

Define deviation from ideal mental health

A

When someone does not meet the set of criteria set by Jahoda for good mental health

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11
Q

Who set the criteria for good mental health

A

Jahoda

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12
Q

Name four of the criteria for ideal mental health

A

Name any 4 of:

High self esteem
Personal growth
Independence 
Accurate perception of reality
Resistance to stress 
Environmental mastery
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13
Q

What is a strength of ideal mental health

A

It is comprehensive
Covers a broad range of criteria
Making it a good tool

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14
Q

Name two limitations of ideal mental health

A

Cultural relativism
-jahodas classification is specific to western culture (based on the individual)

Unrealistically high standard
-jahodas statements are vague and so are difficult to measure

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15
Q

Name 2 behavioural characteristics of phobias

A

Panic- in response to the presence of a phobic stimulus

Avoidance- go to lots of trouble trying to avoid coming into contact with the phobic stimulus

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16
Q

Name two emotional characteristics of phobias

A

Anxiety- sufferer struggles to relax

Excessive fear- unreasonable

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17
Q

Name two cognitive characteristics of phobias

A

Selective attention to the phobic stimulus- struggle to look away from it

Irrational beliefs in relation to the phobic stimulus

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18
Q

Name the model used to describe how a fear is acquired and maintained

A

Two- process model

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19
Q

Explain the two process model

A

Acquired- classsical conditioning
Learn to associate something with something that triggers a fear response

Maintained- operant conditioning
Avoiding the phobic stimulus
Strengthening the fear itself

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20
Q

Briefly state all the evaluation points for phobias

A

✅supporting evidence: Watson and raynor

✅good explanatory power

❌biological preparedness

❌ignores cognitive factors

❌diathesis stress model

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21
Q

What is the good explanatory power which the two process model has

A

It went beyond Watson and raynors concept of classical conditioning, explaining how phobias can be maintained over time

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22
Q

Describe biological preparedness

A

Fails to consider the role of biology
Humans and animals are genetically predisposed to rapidly learn an association between potentially life threatening stimulus and fear

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23
Q

Describe ‘ignores cognitive factors’

A

People may have irrational thoughts which create extreme anxiety and may trigger a phobia

Led to development of cognitive therapies CBT

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24
Q

Explain the diathesis-stress model

A

We inherit a genetic vulnerability ( diathesis ) for developing certain mental disorders- this will only develop and manifest itself if triggered by a real life event

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25
Name the two treatments for phobias
1) flooding | 2) systematic densensitisation
26
What is flooding
Exposing the phobic patients to their phobic stimulus but without general build up The patient learns that the phobic stimulus is harmless Also known as extinction
27
Evaluate flooding
✅cost effective Highly effective and quicker making it less expensive ❌ less effective for some types of phobias Those which have a cognitive element ❌individual differences Some orients may suffer that much trauma that they wish not to continue- which is a waste of time and money
28
Describe systematic desensitisation
Also known as counter conditioning Works on the idea of reciprocal inhibition (can’t be both anxious and relaxed at the same time) Includes: relaxation Constructing an anxiety hierarchy Exposure (gradual)
29
Evaluate systematic desensitisation
✅supporting evidence: Gilroy 42 patients treated for spider phobia in three sessions of SD- showed less fear than control group ✅ suitable for a wider range of orients Disabled people might find flooding too upsetting ✅less traumatic than flooding Patient is gradually exposed- some people find flooding too much to handle
30
What are the two types of depression
Unipolar and bipolar
31
How is a person diagnosed with depression
They just meet 5 symptoms every day for at least two weeks, these are layed out in the DSM-V
32
Name 3 behavioural characteristics of depression
Lack of energy and pleasure in all activities Disruption to sleep and eating behaviour Aggression and self harm
33
Name two emotional characteristics of depression
Depressed lowered mood Lowered self esteem
34
Name two cognitive characteristics of depression
Inability to concentrate Negative thoughts
35
Describe becks cognitive triad theory of depression
1) negative self schemes Packages of information developed through experience - usually developed in childhood 2) cognitive bias Over generalisations and over catastrophising situations ``` 3) the negative triad Negative and irrational views of ourself, three components: The self The world The future ```
36
What is ABC model
A cognitive approach understanding mental disorders focusing on the effect of IRRATIONAL beliefs on emotions
37
Describe Ellis ABC model of depression
A=Activating event Something occurs which begins the cycle B= Beliefs The person interprets the belief either rationally or irrationally C=Consequences Rational beliefs lead to healthy outcomes Irrational beliefs lead to unhealthy emotional outcomes ie depression
38
Evaluate the cognitive explanation for depression
✅application to therapy Been used to develop effective treatments for depression including CBT and REBT ❌cause and effect Does not explain the origin of irrational thoughts as most of the research is correlational ❌alternative explanations- biology Fails to consider the role of biology ie could serotonin and genes influence depression ❌blames patient rather than situation Suggests person is responsible rather than the situation
39
What is CBT
Cognitive behaviour therapy - a cognitive therapy which changes irrational thoughts and belief and it also is a way of behavioural therapy which changes the behaviour in response to these thoughts
40
What is the aim of REBT
To turn irrational thoughts into rational ones
41
What is the name of the therapy developed by Ellis
Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy
42
How does Ellis therapy REBT challenge irrational thoughts
Dispute= teaches the patient to challenge irrational thoughts and beliefs Patients get homework tasks which gets them to identify there own irrational beliefs
43
Name the three types of disputing
Logical(reasoned) Emprical(factual) Pragmatic(practical
44
Explain the evidence supporting cognitive therapies
March Found CBT to be just as effective as anti depressants in treating depression depression Eg 81% of the antidepressant group and 81% of the CBT group had significantly in proved
45
Explain the limitations of cognitive therapies
❌required motivation A person with severe depression struggles to motivate themselves ❌fails to consider the role of biology Genes and neurotransmitters (serotonin n dopamine) ❌blames patient rather than situation Suggests that it is the person who is responsible for their illness - tends to overlook situational factors
46
What are the characteristics of OCD
Behaviour- compulsions Repetitive behaviour Emotional- anxiety Depression Guilt Cognitive- obsessive persistent thoughts
47
What is the genetic explanation
Refers to the view that genes make up chromosomes and consist of DNA which codes the physical features
48
What is the role of the COMT gene
Regulated production of dopamine which has been linked to OCD
49
What is the role of the SERT gene
Gene which affects transport of serotonin creating lower levels of this neurotransmitter Low levels of serotonin has been linked to OCD
50
What is the supporting evidence for the genetic explanation of OCD Criticise this
Nestadt- twin studies 68% of MZ twins shared OCD 31% of DZ twins shared OCD Concordance rate is never 100% which means that environmental factors must also play a role
51
Give a disadvantage of the genetic explanation to OCD
Diathesis stress model Genetic vulnerability which is triggered by environmental factors
52
Wha is the neural explanation for OCD
The view that physical and psychological characteristics are determined by the behaviour of the nervous system
53
Which part of the brain is involved in OCD
The orbital frontal cortex Which is involved in logical thinking and making decisions
54
What is the supporting evidence for the frontal lobe
PET scans of patients with OCD taken while there symptoms were active show greater activity in the OFC
55
Name two criticisms of the neural explanation
❌Cause and effect Just because certain structures of the brain do not function normally in patients with OCD does not mean that this is what causes the OCD ❌alternative explanations Other plausible explanations: two process model
56
How is OCD treated
Using drug therapy
57
Name two of the drugs involved in drug therapy of OCD
SSRIs | BZs
58
Describe SSRIs
``` Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors Antidepressant drugs Eg Prozac They prevent the re-absorption and the breakdown of serotonin which increases the levels of serotonin in the synapse Reducing symptoms of OCD ```
59
Describe BZs
Benzodiazepines Anti anxiety drugs Valium and diazepam Enhance the action of GABA neurotransmitter Which tells neurons in the brain to slow downs
60
Evaluate biological treatments of OCD
✅supporting evidence: Soomoro SSRIs all 17 studies showed better results when using SSRIs, effectiveness is greatest when when combined with CBT ❌symptoms not the cause Treats the symptoms and not the cause ❌cost effective - cheaper than CBT ❌ side effects (addiction...)

A Level: Psychology (11 decks)

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