Medical and Biological Models Belief that mental disorders are caused by biological processes: Biochemical - existence and avalilability of certain neurotransmitters. E.g. An excess of dopamine is linked with schizophrenia. Genes - existence of certain genes. This explanation uses twin/adoption studies and concordance rates to be reliable. Kendler et al found that relatives of schizophrenics are 18 … Continue reading Models of Abnormality
Month: March 2018
Treatments of Abnormality
Biological or Medical Drugs - these can help to control neurotransmitter levels in the brain which could be causing the mental health issues. E.g. Anti-depressants, Anti-psychotics. Electroconvulsive therapy - Electrodes are placed on specific areas of person's skull and a small electrical current is passed through. This is usually performed 3 times a week fro … Continue reading Treatments of Abnormality
Definitions of Abnormality
Deviation from statistical norms This is an objective way of defining abnormality, whee a person's trait, thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it is rare or statistically unusual. It is difficult to decide the cut-off point which something is rare because it might no mean undesirable, such as high IQ. Strengths: Quantitative data … Continue reading Definitions of Abnormality
Anxiety Disorders (obsessions and compulsions)
Definitions, measures and examples of obsessions and compulsions - Defining obsessions and compulsions; case studies/examples (e.g. ‘Charles’ by Rapoport, 1989); measures, e.g. Maudsley obsessive-compulsive inventory. Explanations of obsessive/compulsive disorder - Biomedical; cognitive-behavioural; psychodynamic. Treatments for obsessive/compulsive disorder - Drug therapy; cognitive-behavioural therapy; psychoanalytic therapy.
Anxiety disorders (Phobias)
Definitions, types/examples (case studies) of phobias - Types: e.g. agoraphobia, blood phobia, dog phobia. Explanations of phobias - Behavioural (classical conditioning, e.g. Watson, 1920); psychoanalytic (Freud, 1909); biomedical/genetic (e.g. Ost, 1992); cognitive (e.g. DiNardo et al., 1988). Treating phobias - Systematic desensitisation (Wolpe, 1958); flooding; applied tension (Ost et al., 1989); cognitive-behavioural therapy (Ost and Westling, 1995).
Addiction and impulse control disorders
Definitions, types and characteristics of addictions - Definitions (e.g. Griffiths, 2005); types, e.g. alcoholism; impulse control (e.g. kleptomania, pyromania, compulsive gambling); physical and psychological dependence. Causes of addiction and impulse control disorders - Genetic: alcohol (e.g. Schuckit, 1985); biochemical: dopamine; behavioural: positive reinforcement; cognitive/personality. Coping with and reducing addiction and impulse control disorders - Behavioural, e.g. … Continue reading Addiction and impulse control disorders
Abnormal Effect
Types, characteristics, examples and sex differences - Types: depression (unipolar) and mania (bipolar); causes and treatments for manic depression; sex differences in depression. Explanations of depression - Biological: genetic and neurochemical; cognitive: Beck’s cognitive theory; learned helplessness/attributional style (Seligman, 1979). Treatments for depression - Biological: chemical/drugs (MAO, SSRIs); electro-convulsive therapy. Cognitive restructuring (Beck, 1979); rational emotive therapy … Continue reading Abnormal Effect
Schizophrenia
Symptoms and characteristics of schizophrenia - Characteristics; case studies/examples. Explanations of schizophrenia - Genetic (e.g. Gottesman and Shields, 1972); biochemical (dopamine hypothesis); cognitive (e.g. Frith, 1992). Treatments for schizophrenia - Biochemical (antipsychotics and atypical antipsychotics); electro-convulsive therapy. Token economy (Paul and Lentz, 1977); cognitive-behavioural therapy (Sensky, 2000).
Models of Abnormality
Definitions of abnormality - Definitions: deviation from statistical norms, social norms, ideal mental health, failure to function adequately. Problems with defining and diagnosing abnormality. Models of abnormality - Medical/biological, behavioural, psychodynamic, cognitive. Assumptions and applications of models. Treatments of abnormality - Treatments derived from models: biological/medical; psychotherapies; cognitive-behavioural. Effectiveness and appropriateness of treatments.
Psychology and Abnormality
The Psychology and Abnormality section of the syllabus is divided in 6 topics, which include sub-topics and studies that need to be known for the exam: a) Models of abnormality: • definitions of abnormality - Definitions: deviation from statistical norms, social norms, ideal mental health, failure to function adequately. Problems with defining and diagnosing abnormality. • … Continue reading Psychology and Abnormality
CIE A Level Psychology 