PSYCOPATHOLOGY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025 SERIES, TESTED AND VERYFIED ALREADY
GRADED A+
QUESTION: 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 ANS: 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.
QUESTION: Outline one behavioural and one cognitive characteristic of obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD). [4 marks] - ✔✔CORRECT ANS: 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)
Page 1 of 26
,QUESTION: Describe one drug therapy that has been used to treat obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD). Identify one limitation of drug therapy. [4 marks] - ✔✔CORRECT ANS: 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
QUESTION: Outline and evaluate the cognitive approach to treating depression. [8 marks] -
✔✔CORRECT ANS: *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
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, 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
QUESTION: Distinguish between obsessions and compulsions. [2 marks] - ✔✔CORRECT ANS:
Obsessions are internal components because they are thoughts, and compulsions are external
components because they are behaviours.
QUESTION: 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 ANS: Results indicate
development of OCD is at least partly genetic
Page 3 of 26
GRADED A+
QUESTION: 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 ANS: 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.
QUESTION: Outline one behavioural and one cognitive characteristic of obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD). [4 marks] - ✔✔CORRECT ANS: 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)
Page 1 of 26
,QUESTION: Describe one drug therapy that has been used to treat obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD). Identify one limitation of drug therapy. [4 marks] - ✔✔CORRECT ANS: 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
QUESTION: Outline and evaluate the cognitive approach to treating depression. [8 marks] -
✔✔CORRECT ANS: *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
Page 2 of 26
, 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
QUESTION: Distinguish between obsessions and compulsions. [2 marks] - ✔✔CORRECT ANS:
Obsessions are internal components because they are thoughts, and compulsions are external
components because they are behaviours.
QUESTION: 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 ANS: Results indicate
development of OCD is at least partly genetic
Page 3 of 26
