Psychology - Psychopathology

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What is statistical infrequency?
Conditions that are rare to the norm (uncommon/abnormal).
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What is deviation from social norms?
Going outside the acceptable standards of behaviour.
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What evidence challenges statistical infrequency?
Problematic differing between normality & abnormality - the cut-off point is subjectively determined.
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What evidence challenges deviation from social norms?
Cultural relativism - there are no universal standards for labelling a behaviour as abnormal (norms differ between cultures).
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What is failure to function adequately?
Failing to cope with everyday living.
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What is deviation from ideal mental health?
Not showing behaviours that are associated with social competence & happiness.
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What evidence supports failure to function adequately?
Objectivity is easy to measure - behaviours can be listed, and then people can decide whether treatment is needed.
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What evidence challenges failure to function adequately?
Adequately functioning people may be classed as abnormal as they may be judged wrongly by the individual or someone else.
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What evidence supports deviation from ideal mental health?
It offers an alternative perspective on mental disorder by emphasising positives rather than negatives.
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What evidence challenges deviation from ideal mental health?
Most people are abnormal, & the criteria is difficult to measure.
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What are phobias?
A group of mental disorders characterised by high levels of anxiety in response to stimuli.
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Briefly describe the behavioural approach to explaining phobias.
Two-process model = classical conditioning (initiation) & operant conditioning (maintenance); Social learning theory (observing significant others behaviour).
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What evidence supports the behavioural approach to explaining phobias?
Little Albert - classical conditioning, acquired phobias of animals.
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What evidence challenges the behavioural approach to explaining phobias?
Ignores cognitive factors, such as irrational thinking, which can also trigger anxiety.
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Briefly describe the behavioural approach to treating phobias.
Systematic desensitisation = counterconditioning, relaxation, desensitisation hierarchy; Flooding = Relaxation techniques practiced & exposed in one long session.
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What evidence supports the behavioural approach to treating phobias?
Meta-analysis - SD & flooding have both been found to be highly effective in treating phobias.
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What evidence challenges the behavioural approach to treating phobias?
Not appropriate for all phobias; Ethical issues in flooding due to the trauma caused.
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What is depression?
A mood disorder where an individual feels sad or lacks interest in their usual activities.
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Briefly describe the cognitive approach to explaining depression.
Beck's negative triad = negative schemas lead to cognitive biases in thinking (irrational view of the self, world & future); Ellis' ABC model = activating event, rational/irrational belief, consequence (musturbatory thinking - things MUST be true).
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What evidence supports the cognitive approach to explaining depression?
Depressed people interpret things more illogically (Bates, 1999 - negative statements made them increasingly depressed); Practical applications to treatment via CBT.
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What evidence challenges the cognitive approach to explaining depression?
Blames the patient rather than the situational factors, e.g. stressful job; diathesis-stress = some more vulnerable (cognitive + biological).
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Briefly describe the cognitive approach to treating depression.
CBT = challenging irrational thoughts (DEF - disputing, effects, feelings); REBT = disputing (logical/event, empirical/reality, pragmatic/pointless); homework; encouraging to be more active; unconditional positive regard (respect without judgment).
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What evidence supports the cognitive approach to treating depression?
Effectiveness (90% success rate from 27 sessions); behavioural activation/exercise = lower relapse than medication; combination with biological = effective.
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What evidence challenges the cognitive approach to treating depression?
Doesn't work as well with rigid/resistant people & directness of REBT doesn't help everyone; Dodo Bird effect = effectiveness due to common factors in different psychotherapies, e.g. talking to sympathetic person.
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What is OCD?
An anxiety disorder where anxiety arises from both obsessions (thoughts) & compulsions (behaviours).
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Briefly explain the biological approach to explaining OCD.
COMT gene = regulates dopamine (low COMT, high dopamine); SERT gene = transport of serotonin (low levels/mutation); Diathesis/genetic vulnerability; Abnormal neurotransmitter levels; Abnormal brain circuits (OFC - worry signals to damaged thalamus).
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What evidence supports the biological approach to explaining OCD?
Family & twin studies (1st degree relative = 5x greater risk); OCD patients have reduced grey matter in OFC.
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What evidence challenges the biological approach to explaining OCD?
Concordance rates never 100% (diathesis-stress); Expression of same gene determining Tourette's (not just one gene); Two-process model = behaviourists - 90% of cases following treatment (ERP - exposure and response prevention).
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Briefly explain the biological approach to treating OCD.
Antidepressants (SSRIs = increase serotonin & normalise worry circuit; Tricyclics = prolong activity of serotonin/noradrenaline); Anti-anxiety drugs = Benzodiazepines (enhance GABA to reduce anxiety).
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What evidence supports the biological approach to treating OCD?
Effectiveness (Soomro - more effective than placebos); Less time & effort.
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What evidence challenges the biological approach to treating OCD?
Little monitoring, some benefits from talking to doctor (Dodo Bird effect); Side effects = nausea, headaches, insomnia - (SSRIs), aggresiveness (BZ); efficient in short-term but not long-term.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is deviation from social norms?

Back

Going outside the acceptable standards of behaviour.

Card 3

Front

What evidence challenges statistical infrequency?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What evidence challenges deviation from social norms?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is failure to function adequately?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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