P1 Psychopathology

Statistical Infrequency

Defines abnormality as behaviours that are numerically rare (e.g., very high or low IQ).

Evaluation of Statistical Infrequency

+Objective and measurable, −Desirable traits can be seen as abnormal (e.g., high IQ), −Not all disorders are rare.

Deviation from Social Norms

Defines abnormality based on breaking social rules (e.g., antisocial personality disorder).

Evaluation of Social Norms

+Flexible, adapts to societal standards so excludes desirable traits as being abnormal, −Culturally relative, abnormality varies across cultures so one cultures values may be used to judge another’s (ethnocentrism)

Failure to Function Adequately

Abnormality is when a person can't cope with daily life (e.g., personal distress, observer discomfort).

Evaluation of Failure to Function

+Takes patient's perspective into account, −Some disorders don't cause dysfunction so may be missed (e.g., OCD)

Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

Soemone lacking in Jahoda's criteria (e.g., autonomy, self-actualisation, positive self-esteem).

Evaluation of Ideal Mental Health

+Holistic view, −Unrealistic MH standards, −Culture-bound to Western ideals (ethnocentric)

Phobia Characteristics (Behavioural)

Avoidance, panic, and endurance in presence of phobic stimulus.

Phobia Characteristics (Emotional)

Extreme fear, anxiety, and distress.

Phobia Characteristics (Cognitive)

Irrational beliefs, selective attention to threat, cognitive distortions.

Depression Characteristics (Behavioural)

Disruption to eating/sleeping, reduced activity, aggression/self-harm.

Depression Characteristics (Emotional)

Low mood, anger, low self-esteem.

Depression Characteristics (Cognitive)

Absolutist thinking, poor concentration, focus on the negative.

OCD Characteristics (Behavioural)

Avoidance, compulsions (repetitive behaviours).

OCD Characteristics (Emotional)

Anxiety, distress, guilt, disgust.

OCD Characteristics (Cognitive)

Obsessions (intrusive thoughts), cognitive coping strategies, awareness of irrationality.

Two-Process Model (Phobias)

Behavioral explanation for how phobias are acquired through classical conditioning and maintained via operant conditioning (negative reinforcement).

Evaluation of Two-Process Model

+Watson & Rayner's Little Albert (white rat + loud noise), −Doesn’t explain cognitive factors (irrational thinking), −Not all phobias follow trauma.

Systematic Desensitisation

Gradual exposure to phobic stimulus using anxiety hierarchy and relaxation techniques.

Evaluation of Systematic Desensitisation

+Effective (Gilroy et al.), +Preferred by patients, −Not suitable for all phobias (e.g., social phobias). —Requires commitment

Flooding

Immediate exposure to phobic stimulus until anxiety subsides via extinction (maybe due to exhaustion).

Evaluation of Flooding

+Cost-effective, −Highly distressing, −Less effective for complex phobias.

Beck's Negative Triad

Negative views of self, world, and future lead to and maintain depression.

Evaluation of Beck's Model

+Supported by cognitive research, +Basis for CBT, −Doesn't explain all types (e.g., anger or hallucinations).

Ellis's ABC Model

A = Activating Event, B = Belief, C = Consequence. Irrational beliefs cause depression.

Evaluation of ABC Model

+Practical therapy application, −Partial explanation (only some depression triggered by events), −Doesn't explain all symptoms.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Combines cognitive and behavioural techniques to challenge irrational thoughts and replace with positive ones.

Evaluation of CBT

+Effective (March et al.), +Addresses root cause, −Requires motivation, −May ignore environment/life stressors.

Genetic Explanation of OCD

OCD may be inherited; candidate genes (e.g., COMT and SERT) influence neurotransmitter levels.

Neural Explanation of OCD

Abnormalities in serotonin levels and brain structures (e.g., basal ganglia) linked to OCD.

Evaluation of Biological Explanations

+Strong supporting evidence (Newstadt, Beucke), −Too reductionist, −Environmental triggers not accounted for.

Drug Therapy for OCD

SSRIs increase serotonin activity, improving mood and reducing compulsions.

Evaluation of Drug Therapy

+Strong supporting evidence (Soomro et al) +Cost-effective, , −Side effects (Soomro et al e.g., nausea, insomnia), −Doesn't address root cause.