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AQA A Level Psychology Psychopathology May Exam Questions and Answers
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AQA A Level Psychology Psychopathology May Exam Questions and Answers
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AQA A Level PsychologyPsychopathology May Exam Questions
and Answers
Define the four definitions of Abnormality - Answer>> Definition
1: Deviation from Social Norms - Standards of acceptable
behaviour are set by a social group and anything that deviates
from this behaviour is deemed abnormal. In the past being
homosexual was seen as deviant from social norms, campaigners
have now changed the social perception and have made it
normal. This proves that this explanation is subject to change.
Definition 2: Failure to Function Adequately - This is where people
are not able to cope with everyday demands such as eating in
public. It interferes with everyday life and the individual judges
when their behaviour becomes abnormal.
Definition 3: Deviation from Ideal Mental Health - Physical illness
being defined as the absence of signs of physical healthiness.
This definition says we should look at mental illness in the same
way, there are 6 categories that if are not there then this would
suggest mental illness. They are: Self Attitudes, Self Actualisation
(max potential), Integration, Autonomy, Reality and Mastery of
Environment.
Definition 4: Statistical Deviation - Uses numbers to define
abnormality, unusual behaviours occurring frequently. (using
distribution curve)
Outline Limitations of 'Deviation from Social Norms' as a definition
of abnormality. - Answer>> -It lacks any cultural relativism as
different actions are considered normal in different cultures thus
the definition cannot be generalised across cultures.
-The definition will need to evolve with time as social norms do.
-There is no objective factual way of saying wether what someone
is doing is deviating from social norms or not.
,Outline Limitations of 'Failure to Function Adequately' as a
definition of abnormality. - Answer>> -Not everyone admits
when they are failing as some may feel content with the way they
are functioning, making it difficult to diagnose.
-It may not be obvious that someone is not functioning, therefore
it is difficult to diagnose using this definition alone.
-It lacks cultural relativism, as what is considered adequate in on
culture differs to another.
Outline Limitations of 'Deviation from Ideal Mental Health' as a
definition of abnormality. - Answer>> -The criteria that we
should meet is over demanding, can individuals realistically
achieve all 6 categories at once.
-Also the definition lacks cultural relativism, collectivist cultures
believe in the greater good for the community but individualistic
cultures believe in the 'autonomy' therefore it cannot be
generalised across cultures.
-The definitions are all very subjective, you think you achieving to
full potential but someone else may think you aren't.
Outline Limitations of 'Statistical Deviation' as a definition of
abnormality. - Answer>> -Characteristics that are 'abnormal' are
not all negative for example having a IQ would make you
technically abnormal but you wouldn't want to treat it.
-If someone is happy and content with their life then there is no
point in labelling them abnormal just because the don't fit in with
everyone else's statistics.
Outline the Behavioural, Emotional and Cognitive characteristics
for Phobias - Answer>> Behavioural
Panic, in response to a stimulus people may freeze of scream and
run away.
Avoidance, people will often avoid facing their fears which can
make it difficult to go out and about.
,Endurance, the opposite of avoidance where the sufferer takes it
and endures it.
Emotional
Anxiety, phobias are classified as anxiety disorders, this prevents
relaxation and makes it difficult to feel positive emotions.
Unreasonable emotional responses, the emotional response we
have is much to over the top of what is reasonable and is
disproportional to the danger.
Cognitive
Selective attention, people with a phobia may not be able to take
their eyes off the stimulus if close by, this can interfere with their
everyday life.
Irrational beliefs, the person may feel that if they show they have
a phobia of something they may look weak.
Cognitive distortions, the persons perceptions of the stimulus will
be distorted.
Outline the Behavioural, Emotional and Cognitive characteristics
for Depression - Answer>> Behavioural
Activity levels, levels of activity are bought down and many people
become lethargic, meaning they will withdraw from work and
social life.
Disruption to sleep and eating, suffers can experience insomnia
or hypersomnia, along with this their appetite can fluctuate.
Self-harm, depression can lead to increased violence to
themselves and others.
Emotional
Lowered mood, the clinical definition of low mood is characterised
by emptiness.
Anger, often experienced with sufferers of depression.
Lowered self esteem, sufferers may report of hating themsleves.
, Cognitive
Poor concentration
Cognitive Bias, sufferers attend to the negative aspects of life and
not the positive.
Absolutist thinking, will look at things as black and white.
Outline the Behavioural, Emotional and Cognitive characteristics
for OCD - Answer>> Behavioural
Compulsions are repetitive, the sufferer feels compelled to do the
behaviour over and over.
Compulsions reduce anxiety, most sufferers perform the
behaviour to reduce anxiety.
Avoidance, sufferers may avoid situations where they need to do
the compulsion, this can effect their everyday life.
Emotional
Powerful anxiety, obsessive thoughts are unpleasant and the
anxiety that comes with it can be overwhelming.
Depression, anxiety can lead to low mood and lack of activity this
in turn leads to depression.
Guilt & Disgust, the sufferer may feel moral issues towards
something external or internal.
Cognitive
Obsessive thoughts, they can take over their lives ie. worrying
about germs.
Cognitive strategies to cope, sufferers cope with their obsessions
by trying to manage their anxiety.
Excessive anxiety, sufferers are aware of their compulsions and
know they are irrational, yet they still have thoughts about the
worst outcomes of their anxiety.
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