PSYCHOPATHOLOGY EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
Outline one definition of abnormality. (2 marks) - Correct Answers -Statistical
infrequency defines abnormality as those behaviours that are extremely rare. If we can
define what is most common (or is 'normal'), then we also have an idea of what is not
common (or is 'abnormal').
Outline and evaluate one other definition of abnormality. (6 marks) - Correct Answers -
Statistical infrequency defines abnormality as those behaviours that are extremely rare.
If we can define what is most common (or is 'normal'), then we also have an idea of
what is not common (or is 'abnormal'). This limits the deviation from social norms
definition because on its own it cannot offer a complete definition of abnormality,
because it is inevitably related to context. One limitation of defining abnormality in terms
of statistical infrequency is that some abnormal behaviour is desirable rather than
undesirable. For example, very few people have an IQ over 150 but we would not want
to suggest this is undesirable. This definition of abnormality does not distinguish
between desirable and undesirable behaviour.
Outline one emotional and one cognitive characteristic of phobias. (6 marks) - Correct
Answers -Primary emotional characteristic is fear, which is persistent and likely to be
excessive and unreasonable. Also, feelings of anxiety and panic. Emotions are cued by
the presence or anticipation of the feared object/situation, ad are out of proportion to the
actual danger posed.
Cognitive characteristics relate to thought processes. An irrational nature of the person's
thinking and the resistance to rational arguments. E.g., if someone is afraid of flying the
argument that flying is the safest for of transport will not help the scared individual. The
person will recognise that their fear is excessive or unreasonable, although this feature
may be absent in children. It distinguished between a phobia and a delusional mental
illness (schizophrenia) where the individual is not aware of the unreasonable nature of
their behaviour.
Outline two behavioural characteristics of depression. (4 marks) - Correct Answers -
Often a shift in activity level - reduced or increased. Many depressed individuals will
experience a lack of energy, a sense of tiredness and a wish to sleep all the time.
, However, some may become more agitated and restless, may pace the room, wring
their hands, pick their skin.
Appetite can also be affected; a variation may happen. Someone might binge eat, or
they may do the opposite and refrain from eating.
Which two of the following are cognitive characteristics of obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD)?
A Awareness that behaviour is irrational, B Compulsions, C Disgust, D High anxiety, E
Obsessions. (2 marks) - Correct Answers -A, B
Rob is a sixth form student who has started hearing voices in his head. The voices
come often, are usually threatening and make Rob feel frightened. The voices are
making it difficult for Rob to complete his homework properly and he is worried about
how this may affect his chances of gong to university. Rob has not told anyone about
his experiences, but his parents and teachers have noticed that he appears distracted,
anxious, and untidy.
Outline and evaluate failure to function adequately and deviation from ideal mental
health as definitions of abnormality. Refer to the experiences of Rob in your answer. (16
marks) - Correct Answers -PARA 1 (AO1 + AO2):
According to the Failure to Function Adequately (FFA) definition, a person is considered
abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life (e.g. social
and/or occupational) and live independently in society. Furthermore, to be classified as
abnormal, a person's behaviour should cause personal suffering and distress because
of their failure to cope. However, they may also cause distress or discomfort to other
people who observe their behaviour. Therefore, according to this definition, Rob could
be considered abnormal because his symptoms are causing an inability to cope with
everyday life as he is finding it difficult to 'complete his homework'. Furthermore, Rob's
symptoms are also causing distress or discomforted, as 'his parents and teachers' have
noticed his anxiety.
PARA 2 (AO3):
One strength of the FFA definition is that is takes into account the subjective personal
experiences of Rob. This definition considers the thoughts and feelings of Rob and the
issues he is facing and does not simply make a judgement based on a pre-defined list
of symptoms. This suggests that the FFA definition is a useful tool for assessing
psychopathological behaviour.
PARA 3 (AO3):
However, one weakness of the FFA definition is the issue of individual differences. For
example, one person who hears voices may be unable to function adequately; whereas,
another person may suffer from the same symptoms, but function perfectly well.
Therefore, despite the same psychological and behavioural symptoms, each person
would be diagnosed differently according to this definition, thus questioning the validity
of this definition.
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
Outline one definition of abnormality. (2 marks) - Correct Answers -Statistical
infrequency defines abnormality as those behaviours that are extremely rare. If we can
define what is most common (or is 'normal'), then we also have an idea of what is not
common (or is 'abnormal').
Outline and evaluate one other definition of abnormality. (6 marks) - Correct Answers -
Statistical infrequency defines abnormality as those behaviours that are extremely rare.
If we can define what is most common (or is 'normal'), then we also have an idea of
what is not common (or is 'abnormal'). This limits the deviation from social norms
definition because on its own it cannot offer a complete definition of abnormality,
because it is inevitably related to context. One limitation of defining abnormality in terms
of statistical infrequency is that some abnormal behaviour is desirable rather than
undesirable. For example, very few people have an IQ over 150 but we would not want
to suggest this is undesirable. This definition of abnormality does not distinguish
between desirable and undesirable behaviour.
Outline one emotional and one cognitive characteristic of phobias. (6 marks) - Correct
Answers -Primary emotional characteristic is fear, which is persistent and likely to be
excessive and unreasonable. Also, feelings of anxiety and panic. Emotions are cued by
the presence or anticipation of the feared object/situation, ad are out of proportion to the
actual danger posed.
Cognitive characteristics relate to thought processes. An irrational nature of the person's
thinking and the resistance to rational arguments. E.g., if someone is afraid of flying the
argument that flying is the safest for of transport will not help the scared individual. The
person will recognise that their fear is excessive or unreasonable, although this feature
may be absent in children. It distinguished between a phobia and a delusional mental
illness (schizophrenia) where the individual is not aware of the unreasonable nature of
their behaviour.
Outline two behavioural characteristics of depression. (4 marks) - Correct Answers -
Often a shift in activity level - reduced or increased. Many depressed individuals will
experience a lack of energy, a sense of tiredness and a wish to sleep all the time.
, However, some may become more agitated and restless, may pace the room, wring
their hands, pick their skin.
Appetite can also be affected; a variation may happen. Someone might binge eat, or
they may do the opposite and refrain from eating.
Which two of the following are cognitive characteristics of obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD)?
A Awareness that behaviour is irrational, B Compulsions, C Disgust, D High anxiety, E
Obsessions. (2 marks) - Correct Answers -A, B
Rob is a sixth form student who has started hearing voices in his head. The voices
come often, are usually threatening and make Rob feel frightened. The voices are
making it difficult for Rob to complete his homework properly and he is worried about
how this may affect his chances of gong to university. Rob has not told anyone about
his experiences, but his parents and teachers have noticed that he appears distracted,
anxious, and untidy.
Outline and evaluate failure to function adequately and deviation from ideal mental
health as definitions of abnormality. Refer to the experiences of Rob in your answer. (16
marks) - Correct Answers -PARA 1 (AO1 + AO2):
According to the Failure to Function Adequately (FFA) definition, a person is considered
abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life (e.g. social
and/or occupational) and live independently in society. Furthermore, to be classified as
abnormal, a person's behaviour should cause personal suffering and distress because
of their failure to cope. However, they may also cause distress or discomfort to other
people who observe their behaviour. Therefore, according to this definition, Rob could
be considered abnormal because his symptoms are causing an inability to cope with
everyday life as he is finding it difficult to 'complete his homework'. Furthermore, Rob's
symptoms are also causing distress or discomforted, as 'his parents and teachers' have
noticed his anxiety.
PARA 2 (AO3):
One strength of the FFA definition is that is takes into account the subjective personal
experiences of Rob. This definition considers the thoughts and feelings of Rob and the
issues he is facing and does not simply make a judgement based on a pre-defined list
of symptoms. This suggests that the FFA definition is a useful tool for assessing
psychopathological behaviour.
PARA 3 (AO3):
However, one weakness of the FFA definition is the issue of individual differences. For
example, one person who hears voices may be unable to function adequately; whereas,
another person may suffer from the same symptoms, but function perfectly well.
Therefore, despite the same psychological and behavioural symptoms, each person
would be diagnosed differently according to this definition, thus questioning the validity
of this definition.
