PSYCHOPATHOLOGY EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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] - Correct Answers -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] - Correct Answers -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] - Correct Answers -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] - Correct
Answers -*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] - Correct Answers -
Obsessions are internal components because they are thoughts, and compulsions are
external components because they are behaviours.
Researchers analysed the behaviour of over 4000 pairs of twins. The results showed
that the degree to which obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is inherited is between
45% and 65%.
, With reference to the study described above, what do the results seem to show about
possible influences on the development of OCD? [4 marks] - Correct Answers -Results
indicate development of OCD is at least partly genetic
The findings suggest that heritability is high (between 45% and 65%)
This means that there must also be other explanations (inherited influence is not 100%)
So other factors (e.g. environment or other bio factors) may also partly account for
OCD.
Steven describes how he feels when he is in a public place.
'I always have to look out for people who might be ill. If I come into contact with people
who look ill, I think I might catch it and die. If someone starts to cough or sneeze then I
have to get away and clean myself quickly.'
Outline one cognitive characteristic of OCD and one behavioural characteristic of OCD
that can be identified from the description provided by Steven. [2 marks] - Correct
Answers -Cognitive characteristics of OCD:
Hypervigilance - 'looking out for people who are ill'
Catastrophic thinking - 'I might catch it and die'.
Behavioural characteristic of OCD:
Repetitive cleaning - 'I have to clean myself'.
Fill in A and B, to show Beck's negative triad as it is used to explain depression.
Negative views about
*A* for example: 'I am worthless'
Negative views about
*B*for example: 'I will never be any good at anything'
Negative views about
C *the world* for example: 'Nobody values me'
[2 marks] - Correct Answers -A: Self.
B: The future.
Briefly outline one strength of the cognitive explanation of depression. [2 marks] -
Correct Answers -Based on sound experimental research
Have provided effective treatments for depression
Acknowledges role of thoughts in behaviour/disorders.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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] - Correct Answers -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] - Correct Answers -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] - Correct Answers -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] - Correct
Answers -*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] - Correct Answers -
Obsessions are internal components because they are thoughts, and compulsions are
external components because they are behaviours.
Researchers analysed the behaviour of over 4000 pairs of twins. The results showed
that the degree to which obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is inherited is between
45% and 65%.
, With reference to the study described above, what do the results seem to show about
possible influences on the development of OCD? [4 marks] - Correct Answers -Results
indicate development of OCD is at least partly genetic
The findings suggest that heritability is high (between 45% and 65%)
This means that there must also be other explanations (inherited influence is not 100%)
So other factors (e.g. environment or other bio factors) may also partly account for
OCD.
Steven describes how he feels when he is in a public place.
'I always have to look out for people who might be ill. If I come into contact with people
who look ill, I think I might catch it and die. If someone starts to cough or sneeze then I
have to get away and clean myself quickly.'
Outline one cognitive characteristic of OCD and one behavioural characteristic of OCD
that can be identified from the description provided by Steven. [2 marks] - Correct
Answers -Cognitive characteristics of OCD:
Hypervigilance - 'looking out for people who are ill'
Catastrophic thinking - 'I might catch it and die'.
Behavioural characteristic of OCD:
Repetitive cleaning - 'I have to clean myself'.
Fill in A and B, to show Beck's negative triad as it is used to explain depression.
Negative views about
*A* for example: 'I am worthless'
Negative views about
*B*for example: 'I will never be any good at anything'
Negative views about
C *the world* for example: 'Nobody values me'
[2 marks] - Correct Answers -A: Self.
B: The future.
Briefly outline one strength of the cognitive explanation of depression. [2 marks] -
Correct Answers -Based on sound experimental research
Have provided effective treatments for depression
Acknowledges role of thoughts in behaviour/disorders.
