Psychopathology exam questions
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] - Answer--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] - Answer--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] - Answer--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] - Answer--*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] - Answer--Obsessions are internal
components because they are thoughts, and compulsions are external components because they are
behaviours.
How might the biological approach be used to explain Bob's obsessive-compulsive disorder? [4 marks] -
Answer--Neural explanations (neurochemical and neurophysiological) is why Bob is having a scan:
The basal ganglia and other circuits have been implicated suggesting that disturbed communication in
these structures might account for the repetitive behaviours seen in Bob's OCD. Also, OCD linked to
abnormality/excessive activity in the orbital frontal cortex/thalamus; abnormal functioning of the
parahippocampal gyrus - related to the regulation of unpleasant emotions.
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] - Answer--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] - Answer--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] - Answer--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] - Answer--*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] - Answer--Obsessions are internal
components because they are thoughts, and compulsions are external components because they are
behaviours.
How might the biological approach be used to explain Bob's obsessive-compulsive disorder? [4 marks] -
Answer--Neural explanations (neurochemical and neurophysiological) is why Bob is having a scan:
The basal ganglia and other circuits have been implicated suggesting that disturbed communication in
these structures might account for the repetitive behaviours seen in Bob's OCD. Also, OCD linked to
abnormality/excessive activity in the orbital frontal cortex/thalamus; abnormal functioning of the
parahippocampal gyrus - related to the regulation of unpleasant emotions.
