Psychopathology Exam Questions with
100% correct answers
Outline and evaluate the behavioural approach to treating phobias(12) - Correct
Answer- AO1 = 6 and AO3 = 6
Outline - possible content:
• aims to replace a faulty association between CS and CR that has resulted in a phobic
response
• gradually using systematic desensitisation - relaxation technique, anxiety hierarchy,
exposure stages, imagined and or real/in vivo
• suddenly using flooding - no relaxation, visualisation, intensive exposure in vivo or in
vitro
• virtual reality exposure therapy as an in vitro form of systematic desensitisation
• detail of studies illustrating aspects of behavioural therapies, eg Lang and Lazovik
(1963).
Evaluation - possible content:
• issues related to suitability and effectiveness for different types of phobia
• success outside the clinical situation and long-term effectiveness
• ethical problems, eg with flooding
• side effects such as nausea for VRET
• comparison with alternative treatments
• use of evidence to support or refute effectiveness.
Outline at least one cognitive approach to explaining depression(12) - Correct Answer-
AO1 = 6 and AO3 = 6
Possible content:
• The underlying assumption of the cognitive explanation - depression is the result of a
disturbance in 'thinking'.
• Beck's negative triad - childhood negative schemas develop providing a negative
framework for viewing events pessimistically. In adulthood, these become biases such
as overgeneralisation; magnification; selective perception and absolutist thinking.
• The negative triad is where people think consistently negatively about the self, the
world and the future.
• Ellis's ABC model - developed to explain response to negative events - how people
react differently to stress and adversity.
• The model provides the sequence of the process: A - the adversity or event to which
there is a reaction; B - the belief or explanation about why the situation occurred; C - the
consequence - the feelings and behaviour the belief now causes. In essence the
external event is 'blamed' for the unhappiness being experienced.
• Both models explain depression as a consequence of faulty and negative thinking
about events and suggest it can be managed by challenging this faulty thinking.
• Evidence to support either model such as Beck 1976.
, Possible evaluation:
• The use of examples to illustrate the negative triad or the ABC model
• The use of evidence to support cognitive explanation(s)
• The development of successful therapies based on cognitive explanations: CBT and/or
REBT
• Cognitive explanation(s) do not explain the links between anger and depression well
• Cognitive explanations do not distinguish cause and effect factors
• Cognitive explanations do not deal with the manic phases in bipolar I and II
• Comparison with alternative explanations eg biological evidence suggests genetic,
neurochemical and neuroanatomical influences a biological predisposition
Bina has been diagnosed with depression. Her doctor says that depression is a
common problem but Bina is miserable. She cannot be bothered to get washed in the
morning and her manager is unhappy that she is taking a lot of time off work. When
she does go to work she is irritable, has temper tantrums and is rude to customers.
Using your knowledge of three definitions of abnormality, explain whether or not
Bina's behaviour might be considered to be abnormal.
[6 marks] - Correct Answer- AO2 = 6
Possible applications:
• statistical infrequency - the doctor says depression is quite common therefore Bina's
behaviour should not be considered abnormal.
• failure to function adequately - Bina is neglecting personal hygiene she also takes lots
of time off work therefore her behaviour could be considered abnormal.
• deviation from ideal mental health - Bina is miserable therefore her behaviour could be
considered abnormal.
• deviation from social norms - Bina has temper tantrums/is rude to customers which is
not the norm for adults in a work environment therefore her behaviour could be
considered to be abnormal.
Outline and evaluate the cognitive approach to treating depression.
[8 marks] - Correct Answer- AO1 = 4, AO3 = 4
Possible content:
Features of Beck's CBT:
• focus on present experience
• identifying automatic negative or irrational thoughts
• thought catching
• challenging negative thoughts
• hypothesis testing via homework - patient as scientist
• behavioural activation - engaging in previously enjoyed activities to raise mood
Possible evaluation points:
• Use of evidence to support effectiveness in alleviating symptoms, relapse rates etc.
100% correct answers
Outline and evaluate the behavioural approach to treating phobias(12) - Correct
Answer- AO1 = 6 and AO3 = 6
Outline - possible content:
• aims to replace a faulty association between CS and CR that has resulted in a phobic
response
• gradually using systematic desensitisation - relaxation technique, anxiety hierarchy,
exposure stages, imagined and or real/in vivo
• suddenly using flooding - no relaxation, visualisation, intensive exposure in vivo or in
vitro
• virtual reality exposure therapy as an in vitro form of systematic desensitisation
• detail of studies illustrating aspects of behavioural therapies, eg Lang and Lazovik
(1963).
Evaluation - possible content:
• issues related to suitability and effectiveness for different types of phobia
• success outside the clinical situation and long-term effectiveness
• ethical problems, eg with flooding
• side effects such as nausea for VRET
• comparison with alternative treatments
• use of evidence to support or refute effectiveness.
Outline at least one cognitive approach to explaining depression(12) - Correct Answer-
AO1 = 6 and AO3 = 6
Possible content:
• The underlying assumption of the cognitive explanation - depression is the result of a
disturbance in 'thinking'.
• Beck's negative triad - childhood negative schemas develop providing a negative
framework for viewing events pessimistically. In adulthood, these become biases such
as overgeneralisation; magnification; selective perception and absolutist thinking.
• The negative triad is where people think consistently negatively about the self, the
world and the future.
• Ellis's ABC model - developed to explain response to negative events - how people
react differently to stress and adversity.
• The model provides the sequence of the process: A - the adversity or event to which
there is a reaction; B - the belief or explanation about why the situation occurred; C - the
consequence - the feelings and behaviour the belief now causes. In essence the
external event is 'blamed' for the unhappiness being experienced.
• Both models explain depression as a consequence of faulty and negative thinking
about events and suggest it can be managed by challenging this faulty thinking.
• Evidence to support either model such as Beck 1976.
, Possible evaluation:
• The use of examples to illustrate the negative triad or the ABC model
• The use of evidence to support cognitive explanation(s)
• The development of successful therapies based on cognitive explanations: CBT and/or
REBT
• Cognitive explanation(s) do not explain the links between anger and depression well
• Cognitive explanations do not distinguish cause and effect factors
• Cognitive explanations do not deal with the manic phases in bipolar I and II
• Comparison with alternative explanations eg biological evidence suggests genetic,
neurochemical and neuroanatomical influences a biological predisposition
Bina has been diagnosed with depression. Her doctor says that depression is a
common problem but Bina is miserable. She cannot be bothered to get washed in the
morning and her manager is unhappy that she is taking a lot of time off work. When
she does go to work she is irritable, has temper tantrums and is rude to customers.
Using your knowledge of three definitions of abnormality, explain whether or not
Bina's behaviour might be considered to be abnormal.
[6 marks] - Correct Answer- AO2 = 6
Possible applications:
• statistical infrequency - the doctor says depression is quite common therefore Bina's
behaviour should not be considered abnormal.
• failure to function adequately - Bina is neglecting personal hygiene she also takes lots
of time off work therefore her behaviour could be considered abnormal.
• deviation from ideal mental health - Bina is miserable therefore her behaviour could be
considered abnormal.
• deviation from social norms - Bina has temper tantrums/is rude to customers which is
not the norm for adults in a work environment therefore her behaviour could be
considered to be abnormal.
Outline and evaluate the cognitive approach to treating depression.
[8 marks] - Correct Answer- AO1 = 4, AO3 = 4
Possible content:
Features of Beck's CBT:
• focus on present experience
• identifying automatic negative or irrational thoughts
• thought catching
• challenging negative thoughts
• hypothesis testing via homework - patient as scientist
• behavioural activation - engaging in previously enjoyed activities to raise mood
Possible evaluation points:
• Use of evidence to support effectiveness in alleviating symptoms, relapse rates etc.
