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Psychopathology Questions and Answers
Free A Level Psychology Cards on Flashcard Maker
Revise definitions of abnormality, the characteristics of phobias, depression and OCD, and the treatments used for each condition with these free A Level Psychology flashcards.
Question
What is psychopathology?
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Answer
The study of psychological disorders — their nature, causes, symptoms, and treatments. Also concerned with defining what constitutes abnormal behaviour.
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Question
What are the four definitions of abnormality?
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Answer
1. Statistical infrequency (rare behaviour). 2. Deviation from social norms. 3. Failure to function adequately. 4. Deviation from ideal mental health (Jahoda's criteria).
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Question
What is the limitation of statistical infrequency as a definition?
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Answer
Some statistically rare traits are desirable (high IQ); some common behaviours are undesirable (depression). It doesn't distinguish desirable from undesirable abnormality.
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Question
What are Jahoda's criteria for ideal mental health?
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Answer
Self-attitudes, personal growth, integration, autonomy, perception of reality, and environmental mastery. Deviation from these ideals = abnormality. Criticism: virtually no one meets all criteria.
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Question
What is the DSM-5?
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Answer
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) — the main classification system used in the USA to diagnose mental disorders based on symptom criteria.
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Question
What is a phobia?
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Answer
An irrational, persistent, excessive fear of an object or situation that is out of proportion to any real danger. Causes significant distress and avoidance behaviour.
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Question
What are the three types of phobia?
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Answer
Specific phobia (e.g. spiders, heights), social anxiety disorder (fear of social situations), and agoraphobia (fear of open/public spaces).
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Question
How does the behaviourist explanation account for phobias?
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Answer
Two-process model (Mowrer): phobias are acquired through classical conditioning (e.g. traumatic experience) and maintained through operant conditioning (avoidance reduces anxiety — negative reinforcement).
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Question
What is systematic desensitisation?
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Answer
A CBT-based treatment for phobias. Patient creates an anxiety hierarchy, learns relaxation techniques, then is gradually exposed to the feared stimulus while relaxed — replacing fear with relaxation (counter-conditioning).
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Question
What is flooding (implosion therapy)?
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Answer
Immediate, prolonged exposure to the feared stimulus without relaxation or gradual build-up. The anxiety response extinguishes because the patient cannot maintain high anxiety indefinitely. Quick but distressing.
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