Psychopathology (PAPER 1)

Question 1

(AO1) What is statistical infrequency?

Answer 1

Behaviour is abnormal if it’s rare or statistically unusual (e.g. very low IQ).

Question 2

(AO3) One limitation of statistical infrequency?

Answer 2

Unusual ≠ undesirable — high IQ is rare but not abnormal.

Question 3

(AO1) What is deviation from social norms?

Answer 3

Behaviour that goes against expected rules of society.

Question 4

(AO3) One issue with social norms definition?

Answer 4

Culturally relative — what’s “abnormal” varies across societies.

Question 5

(AO1) What is failure to function adequately?

Answer 5

When a person cannot cope with everyday life (e.g., hygiene, relationships).

Question 6

(AO3) How is this definition useful?

Answer 6

Reflects real-world experience and is practical for diagnosis.

Question 7

(AO1) What is deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 7

Not meeting criteria for psychological well-being (e.g., autonomy, self-actualisation).

Question 8

(AO3) Why is this definition unrealistic?

Answer 8

Few people meet all the criteria all the time — may label healthy people as abnormal.

Question 9

(AO1) Emotional, behavioural, and cognitive symptoms of phobias?

Answer 9

Emotional: Anxiety, fear

Behavioural: Avoidance

Cognitive: Irrational beliefs

Question 10

(AO1) Emotional, behavioural, and cognitive symptoms of depression?

Answer 10

Emotional: Low mood, anger

Behavioural: Low energy, disrupted sleep

Cognitive: Negative thinking, poor concentration

Question 11

(AO1) Emotional, behavioural, and cognitive symptoms of OCD?

Answer 11

Emotional: Anxiety, distress

Behavioural: Compulsions

Cognitive: Obsessive thoughts

Question 12

(AO1) What are the two processes in Mowrer’s model? Phobias

Answer 12

Classical conditioning → phobia is acquired

Operant conditioning → phobia is maintained (negative reinforcement)

Question 13

(AO3) What study supports classical conditioning in phobias?

Answer 13

Little Albert — associated a white rat with a loud noise → fear response

Question 14

(AO3) One limitation of the model?

Answer 14

Doesn’t explain phobias without a traumatic experience (e.g. biological preparedness)

Question 15

(AO1) 3 steps of systematic desensitisation? Phobias

Answer 15

Anxiety hierarchy

Relaxation techniques

Gradual exposure

Question 16

(AO3) Strength of systematic desensitisation? Phobias

Answer 16

Effective and suitable for most clients (even children)

Question 17

(AO1) What is flooding? Phobias

Answer 17

Immediate, prolonged exposure to feared stimulus with no escape → extinction

Question 18

(AO3) Weakness of flooding? Phobias

Answer 18

Very traumatic — not suitable for everyone

Question 19

(AO1) What is Beck’s cognitive theory of depression?

Answer 19

Negative triad: Negative view of self, world, and future. Caused by faulty thinking.

Question 20

(AO1) What are negative schemas? Depression

Answer 20

Biased, negative thought patterns formed in childhood.

Question 21

(AO3) Strength of Beck’s theory? Depression

Answer 21

Practical application → forms basis for CBT.

Question 22

(AO1) What’s Ellis’s ABC model? Depression

Answer 22

A = Activating event

B = Beliefs (irrational)

C = Consequences (emotional + behavioural)

Question 23

(AO3) Limitation of Ellis’s model?

Answer 23

Only explains reactive depression, not all types.

Question 24

(AO1) Key features of CBT? Depression

Answer 24

Identifying/challenging irrational thoughts, setting homework, behavioural activation

Question 25

(AO3) Strength of CBT? Depression

Answer 25

Effective long-term, especially when combined with medication (March et al.)

Question 26

(AO3) Limitation of CBT?

Answer 26

Requires motivation → may not suit severely depressed patients.

Question 27

(AO1) What neural factors are linked to OCD?

Answer 27

Low serotonin + abnormal functioning of orbitofrontal cortex.

Question 28

(AO1) What genetic evidence supports OCD?

Answer 28

Twin studies show 68% concordance in MZ twins (Nestadt et al.)

Question 29

(AO3) Weakness of genetic explanation?

Answer 29

Doesn’t explain all cases — OCD may have environmental triggers.

Question 30

(AO1) What are SSRIs? OCD

Answer 30

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors — increase serotonin levels in the synapse.

Question 31

(AO3) Strength of drug therapy? OCD

Answer 31

Cheap, quick, and effective for many — Soomro et al. found SSRIs better than placebo.

Question 32

(AO3) Limitation of drug therapy? OCD

Answer 32

Side effects (e.g., nausea, insomnia) and high relapse if medication stops.