Definitions and Concepts for AQA Psychology A-level Topic 5: Psychopathology

A set of flashcards covering key definitions and concepts related to psychopathology for AQA A-level Psychology.

What is Beck's negative triad in relation to depression?

It suggests that negative thoughts in depression come from three categories: the self, the world, and the future.

What is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)?

A form of therapy used to help patients with depression by combating irrational cognitive biases.

Define depression as a mood disorder.

It causes sufferers to experience chronic low mood.

What is the definition of abnormality according to deviation from ideal mental health?

If a person does not achieve one of the six criteria of ideal mental health, they are acting abnormally.

What are the six criteria of ideal mental health?

Coping with stress, self-actualisation, sufficient self-esteem, autonomy, adaptation to new situations, and accurate idea of the world.

Explain deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality.

It suggests that if a person deviates from cultural and social rules, they are considered abnormal.

What does Ellis's ABC model represent in relation to depression?

It suggests depression is caused by irrational beliefs, where an Activating event (A) is interpreted by beliefs (B) leading to unhealthy Consequences (C).

What is the definition of failure to function adequately?

A person has abnormal behaviour if they are unable to function in everyday life, impacting their quality of life.

Describe a fear hierarchy.

An order of situations that expose patients to increasing levels of fear-inducing stimuli.

What is flooding in the context of therapy for phobias?

A therapy wherein a patient is exposed to a large amount of fear stimuli to help associate the stimulus with safety.

Define OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).

A disorder characterized by obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviours).

What is a phobia?

An intense, irrational fear of a stimulus.

Explain reciprocal inhibition.

The inhibition of fear by learning to be relaxed, as both responses cannot occur simultaneously.

What are relaxation techniques in the context of phobias?

Techniques taught to patients to alleviate uncomfortable emotions of fear arousal.

Define statistical infrequency in relation to abnormality.

Abnormalities can be determined statistically; if behavior falls outside the range of normal distribution, it is labeled as statistically infrequent.

What is systematic desensitisation?

A therapy for phobias involving a fear hierarchy and teaching relaxation techniques to gradually eliminate fear responses.