Psychopathology exam questions and correct answers, with complete solution 2024.

Psychopathology exam questions and correct answers, with complete solution 2024. 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] 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 one behavioural and one cognitive characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). [4 marks] Behavioural characteristic - this is the compulsion element of the disorder, where a behaviour is performed repeatedly in order to alleviate anxiety Cognitive characteristic - this is the obsessive element of the disorder, where the sufferer experiences unwanted/intrusive thoughts or images that cause distress Credit other relevant characteristics e.g. avoidance (behavioural) Describe one drug therapy that has been used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Identify one limitation of drug therapy. [4 marks] Use of SSRIs e.g. fluoxetine Acts to inhibit the re-uptake or re-absorption of serotonin in the brain Enables the serotonin to remain active at the synapse Serotonin continues to stimulate the post-synaptic neuron Outline and evaluate the cognitive approach to treating depression. [8 marks] AO1 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 Credit other relevant information e.g. Ellis's argumentation and disputation AO3 Use of evidence to support effectiveness in alleviating symptoms, relapse rates etc. Comparisons with medication e.g. March 2007 Role of the patient as engaged and active rather than passive General enhancement of personal experience and efficacy Severely depressed cannot engage in the process and need medication Time and commitment where part of reasoned justification Distinguish between obsessions and compulsions. [2 marks] Obsessions are internal components because they are thoughts, and compulsions are external components because they are behaviours. Researchers analysed the behaviour of over 4000 pairs of twins. The results showed that the degree to which obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is inherited is between 45% and 65%. With reference to the study described above, what do the results seem to show about possible influences on the development of OCD? [4 marks] Results indicate development of OCD is at least partly genetic The findings suggest that heritability is high (between 45% and 65%) This means that there must also be other explanations (inherited influence is not 100%) So other factors (e.g. environment or other bio factors) may also partly account for OCD. Steven describes how he feels when he is in a public place. 'I always have to look out for people who might be ill. If I come into contact with people who look ill, I think I might catch it and die. If someone starts to cough or sneeze then I have to get away and clean myself quickly.' Outline one cognitive characteristic of OCD and one behavioural characteristic of OCD that can be identified from the description provided by Steven. [2 marks] Cognitive characteristics of OCD: Hypervigilance - 'looking out for people who are ill' Catastrophic thinking - 'I might catch it and die'. Behavioural characteristic of OCD: Repetitive cleaning - 'I have to clean myself'. Fill in A and B, to show Beck's negative triad as it is used to explain depression. Negative views about A for example: 'I am worthless' Negative views about Bfor example: 'I will never be any good at anything' Negative views about C the world for example: 'Nobody values me' [2 marks] A: Self. B: The future. Briefly outline one strength of the cognitive explanation of depression. [2 marks] Based on sound experimental research Have provided effective treatments for depression Acknowledges role of thoughts in behaviour/disorders. Outline and evaluate the behavioural approach to treating phobias. [12 marks] AO1 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, e.g. Lang and Lazovik (1963). AO3 Issues related to suitability and effectiveness for different types of phobia Success outside the clinical situation and long-term effectiveness Ethical problems, e.g. with flooding Side effects such as nausea for VRET Use of evidence to support or refute effectiveness. What is meant by 'statistical infrequency' as a definition of abnormality? [2 marks] A person's trait, thinking or behaviour would be considered to be an indication of abnormality if it was found to be numerically (statistically) rare/uncommon/anomalous Gavin describes his daily life. 'I sometimes get gripped with the thought that my family is in danger. In particular, I worry about them being trapped in a house fire. I now find that I can only calm myself if I check that every plug socket is switched off so an electrical fire couldn't start. I used to switch each socket on and off, but now I have to press each switch six times. It takes me ages to leave the house.' Outline two characteristics of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Refer to Gavin in your answer. [4 marks] A cognitive characteristic would be an irrational belief or persistent recurring thoughts - catastrophic thinking such as: my family is in danger and might get trapped in a house fire'. An emotional characteristic would be feeling anxiety or the reduction of anxiety such as: 'worry about them' or 'feeling calm after making sure a fire cannot start'. A behavioural characteristic would be performing a repetitive action such as: switching plug sockets six times. Tommy is six years old and has a phobia about birds. His mother is worried because he now refuses to go outside. She says, 'Tommy used to love playing in the garden and going to the park to play football with his friends, but he is spending more and more time watching TV and on the computer.' A psychologist has suggested treating Tommy's fear of birds using systematic