Fichas
Abnormality Q/A
Fichas del conjunto (20)
- 1Outline what is involved in systematic de-sensitisation.SD involves teaching the client deep muscle relaxation, client and therapist
constructing an anxiety hierarchy, and then working through the hierarchy while
remaining relaxed. - 2Evaluate psychoanalysisThe evaluation might consider:
•
Therapy is very time
-
consuming and is unlikely to provide answers quickly.
•
People must be prepared to invest a lot of time and money into the therapy; they
must be motivated.
•
They might discover some painful and unpleasant memories that had been
repressed,
which causes them more distress
.
•
This type of therapy does not work for all people and for all types of disorders
.
Evaluation which is focused on the psychodynamic approach can be credited as long as it is
used to evaluate the therapy. - 3Evaluation of one definition of abnormalityFailure to Function Adequately:
•
Context is very important when deciding whether someone is functioning adequately;
what may seem irrational in one context can be seen as rational in anothe
r. This
limits the definition.
•
Cultural relativism is an issue, what is considered adequate in one culture is not
necessarily adequate in another. This also makes it difficult for this to be a universal
definition.
Deviation
from
Ideal Mental Health:
•
T
he characteristics are very strict and it is unlikely that many people would be able to
meet them all, thus being defined as abnormal.
•
The definition was based on Jahoda’s views of psychological health and therefore
represents a very Western view. - 4One definition of abnormality is deviation from social norms. Identify and explain one other definition of abnormality.Candidates may choose any definition: deviation from ideal mental health and failure to
function adequately are named
on the specification. However, other definitions such as
statistical infrequency are also creditworthy.
1 mark for identifying the definition and a further 2 marks for elaboration. - 5Identify one psychological therapy that Hugh could consider and explain why it might help him.There needs to be some reference to the underlying
rationale.
Systematic desensitisation could be used to help him with his phobia of the dark
because it will stop him being frightened and replace his fear with relaxation. Fear is
incompatible with relaxation.
CBT could be used because it would help change his faulty cognitions about the dark
that are preventing him from getting to work.
Psychoanalysis could be used to help him because it would access the unconscious
where the repressed material is causing his abnormal behavior. - 6What advice should the doctor give concerning the disadvantages of this type of drug therapy?Disadvantages:
- Addictive properties
Do no treat the cause - only the symptoms
Side effects. - 7Outline the biological approach to abnormality.The biological approach to psychopathology sees disorders as having an organic or physical
cause. The focus of this approach is
on genetics, neurotransmitters, neurophysiology,
neuroanatomy etc. This approach suggests that mental disorders are related to the physical
structure and functioning of the brain.
If the answer only focuses on biological treatment without reference to underlying biological
mechanisms, maximum of 2 marks. - 8Total for this question: 3 marks 12 The following statements refer to different approaches to abnormality. Select three statements that describe the psychodynamic approach. Tick three boxes only. A Holding unrealistic and irrational beliefs about oneself and the world. B Behaviour is caused mainly by the unconscious. C Behaviour is shaped by forces in the environment. D There is conflict between the id and the super-ego. E The human mind is an information processor. F Abnormality is caused by unresolved childhood problemsB, D & F
- 9Abnormality can be defined as ‘the failure to function adequately’. Outline and evaluate this definition of abnormality.Failure to function adequately (FFA) refers to abnormality that prevent the person from
carrying out the range of behaviours that society
would expect from them, such as getting out
of bed each day, holding down a job etc. Rosenhan & Seligman suggested a range of
criteria that are typical of FFA. These
include observer discomfort, unpredictability and
irrationality among others.
1 mark for a basic outline of FFA and a further two marks for elaboration.
Evaluation of FFA:
Cultural relativism – what is considered adequate in one culture might not be so in
another
FFA might not be linked to abnormality but to other factors. Failure to keep a job may
be due to the economic situation not to psychopathology.
FFA is context dependent; not eating can be seen as failing to function adequately
but prisoners on hunger strikes making a protest can be seen in a different light - 10Outline and evaluate the biological approach to psychopathologyThe key features of the biological approach to psychopathology are that disorders
have an organic or physical cause. The focus of this approach is on genetics,
neurotransmitters, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy etc. This approach argues that
mental disorders are related to the physical structure and functioning of the brain.
Description of relevant biological therapies can receive credit, but an answer that
focuses
solely
on therapies will be limited to basic.
AO2:
Evaluation of the approach could be through research that supports these different
causes, evidence from the use of therapies, or by consideration of disorders that do
not seem to have organic causes and can be better explained by other approaches.
The approach can also be criticised for
ignoring environmental and developmental
influences and alternative approaches can be used to elaborate this problem.
Strengths of this approach include its testability via neuroscience research, evidence
for genetic and neurotransmitter involvement in conditions such as schizophrenia. - 11Explain how the therapist might use systematic de-sensitisation to help Hamish to overcome his phobia.Main techniques are: firstly, teach deep muscle or progressive relaxation. Then the therapist
and client construct an anxiety hierarchy, starting with situations that cause a small amount of
fear – in Hamish’s case this might be standing on a small stepladder – then listing situations
that cause more fear, with the most frightening situation being at the top of the hierarchy, such
as standing on top of a mountain. Finally, they work through this list, with the client remaining
relaxed at each stage. The two main features are relaxation and working through the anxiety
hierarchy. - 12There are various types of psychological therapy for treating abnormality. 12 (a) Outline what is involved in psychoanalysis.Psychoanalysis involves a range of techniques
that aims to bring material from the
unconscious into the conscious. These could include free association, dream
analysis and projective tests. - 13Explain one limitation of this way of defining abnormal behaviour.The limitation must refer to the definition offered in part (a). For example, a limitation
of the deviation from social norms definition is that social norms can vary from culture
to culture. This means that what is considered normal in one culture may be
considered abnormal in another. 1 mark for identification of a limitation and a further
2 marks for elaboration. - 14Identify one definition of abnormality that could describe Diane’s behaviour. Explain your choice.Several definitions could be applicable: deviation from social norms; failure to
function adequately and deviation from ideal mental health.
Candidates need to
engage with the question in order to explain their choice. However, they can make a
case for any of the definitions. For example, deviation from social norms (1 mark): It
is not the norm for someone who is 30 to have a temper tantrum, even though it is
normal for a 3 year old, so she is breaking an age-related social norm (2 marks for
explanation).
1 mark for identification of a definition of abnormality and further two marks for the
explanation why it has been chosen. - 15Explain one weakness of systematic de-sensitisation.One weakness of SD is that it relies on the client’s ability to be able to imagine the fearful
situation. Some people cannot create a vivid image and thus SD is not effective.
Another weakness is that while SD might be effective in the therapeutic situation, it may
not work in the real world. - 16Knowledge and understanding of the psychodynamic approach to abnormality. AO2 = 6 marks Evaluation of the psychodynamic approach to abnormality.Candidates can consider the main assumptions of this approach as well as the therapies that
are used. The main assumptions include Freud’s belief that abnormality came from the
psychological causes rather than the physical causes, that unresolved conflicts between the
id, ego and superego created anxiety, this could be dealt with by the ego’s use of defence
mechanisms, early childhood experiences shaped later adult life and unconscious motivation
were responsible for disorders. The techniques that are used to access the unconscious
could include free association, dream analysis and the use of projective techniques.
An answer that describes therapies alone cannot access the top bands (AO1). However, if
the answer clearly demonstrates theoretical underpinning of therapy then it can access the
full range of marks.
The evaluation can include a consideration of the difficulty in supporting the existence of
such abstract concepts such as the id, or
repression. The lack of empirical evidence,
although candidates may of course use Freud’s case studies as support. Candidates could
also consider just how influential Freudian theory has been and they could examine the
impact it has had on the way people think. An evaluation of the therapy could consider
whether it is effective and for what disorders, as well as ethical issues. - 17Describe systematic de-sensitisation as a method of treating abnormality.SD involves the client and therapist designing a list or hierarchy of frightening/stressful
events or objects. The client is then taught deep muscle relaxation. Finally the therapist
helps the client to work their way up the hierarchy while maintaining this deep relaxation.
At each stage, if the client becomes upset they can return to an earlier stage and regain
their relaxed state.
1 mark for a basic statement and a further 2 marks for elaboration. - 18Identify one definition of abnormality and explain one limitation associated with this definition.The definitions on the specification are:
•
Deviation from social norms
•
Failure to function adequately
•
Deviation ideal mental health
However, other definitions are also creditworthy (eg statistical infrequency).
AO1 = 1 mark for correct identification of a definition of abnormality.
The limitation must be appropriate to the definiti
on given. For example, one limitation of the
deviation of social norms definition is that norms can vary over time. This means that
behaviour that would have been defined as abnormal in one era is no longer defined as
abnormal in another. With failure to function adequately, there is a cultural limitation in that
the definition does not take account that ‘adequate’ behaviour varies from one culture to
another.
The main limitation with ideal mental health is that the criteria are so demanding that very
few people will be able to meet all the criteria.
AO2 = 1 mark for identifying the limitation and a further mark for elaboration. - 19“Abnormality is very difficult to define. It can be hard to decide where normal behaviour ends and abnormal behaviour begins.” Discuss two or more definitions of abnormality.There are three definitions of abnormality named on the specification: deviation from social
norms, failure to function adequately and deviation from ideal mental health. However, other
definitions are also creditworthy. Candidates could offer several definitions in less detail or two
definitions but in more detail, breadth/depth trade off.
However, approaches or models are not creditworthy.
The commentary could consider the strengths and/or limitations of each definition, eg the
problems associated with cultural relativism or it could include a generic discussion of the
problems of defining abnormality. One limitation of the deviation from social norms definition is
that social norms change with time; this is illustrated by the changing views on homosexuality.
With the deviation from ideal mental health, there is the problem of cross-cultural variations. A
further problem is that the ideals are so demanding that almost everyone would be considered
abnormal to some degree. The ‘failure to function adequately’ definition has the advantage of a
more objective measuring scale (eg the GAF). However, it can be criticised as not
differentiating sufficiently between abnormal behaviour and unconventional or eccentric
behaviour. - 20Identify and outline key features of two psychological approaches to psychopathology.Psychodynamic. Key features include: mental disorders have a psychological rather than
physical cause; unresolved conflicts are the cause, early childhood experiences influence
mental disorders, the role of the unconscious is important.
Behavioural. Key features include: only overt behaviour is relevant, abnormal behaviour is
learned in the same way as normal behaviour, ie through conditioning, the role of the
environment.
Cognitive. Key features include: abnormality is caused by faulty thinking; in this model, it is the
individual who is in control of their own behaviour.
Credit may also be given to any other appropriate psychological approach to psychopathology.
For each approach, 1 mark for a basic outline of a key feature and a further 2 marks for either
an elaboration or for further features. Candidates may offer several features in less detail or a
few features but in more detail. For full marks, there must be some link to psychopathology.
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- Psychology Fichas sobre Abnormality Q/A, creado por Panesarp1 el 12/04/2013.
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