AQA LEVEL 1 PSYCHOPATHOLOGY NEWEST TEST BANK
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS ALREADY
GRADED A+| REAL EXAM
Describe one behavioural characteristic that might be seen in a person who has been diagnosed with a
phobia of wasps.
[2 marks] - ANSWERS -Panic. (1)
behaviours (1) such as crying and screaming.
Describe one emotional characteristic that might be seen in a person who has been diagnosed with a
phobia of wasps.
[2 marks] - ANSWERS -1. Anxiety and fear
Fear (feeling scared) is the immediate experience when a phobic encounters or think about the phobic
stimulus. Fear leads to anxiety (worrying and distress) in the presence of wasps.
Explain how a hierarchy AND relaxation might be used in the TREATMENT of someone who has a phobia
of wasps.
[4 marks] - ANSWERS -HIERARCHY
Patient and therapist design an anxiety hierarchy - a list ARRANGED in order from least to most
frightening situations. (1)
The client and therapist will IDENTIFY a list of fearful situations involving a wasp such as seeing a picture
of a wasp or seeing one in a jar and will RANK these from lowest to highest. (1)
RELAXATION
The patient is taught relaxation techniques such as deep breathing. (1)
, The patient then works through the anxiety hierarchy. At each level the patient is exposed to a wasp and
is encouraged to be in a relaxed state. (1)
Bob always checks that doors are locked and plug sockets are switched off. His checking routine has
become very time consuming. He now feels overwhelmed with fears that his family could be in danger if
he does not complete his checking routine. His doctor thinks Bob has obsessive compulsive disorder.
Explain what is meant by 'obsessions' and 'compulsions'. Refer to Bob in your answer.
[4 marks] - ANSWERS -Obsessions are persistent, recurring thoughts that are intrusive and unwanted.
(Bob is overwhelmed with fears that his family could be in danger).
Compulsions are behaviours that are carried out repeatedly in a ritualistic way to reduce anxiety. (Bob
always checks that doors are locked and plug sockets are switched off).
Bob's doctor is sending him for a BRAIN SCAN and is looking into his FAMILY HISTORY.
How might the biological approach be used to EXPLAIN Bob's obsessive compulsive disorder?
[4 marks] - ANSWERS -Genetic explanations have identified specific CANDIDATE GENES which create a
vulnerability for OCD.
OCD is polygenic, which means that several genes are involved such as the COMT gene and SERT.
Neural explanations have found that low levels of serotonin lowers mood.
Abnormal functioning of parahippocampal gyrus is associated with processing unpleasant emotions.
A Failure to function adequately
B Deviation from social norms
C Statistical infrequency
D Deviation from ideal mental health
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS ALREADY
GRADED A+| REAL EXAM
Describe one behavioural characteristic that might be seen in a person who has been diagnosed with a
phobia of wasps.
[2 marks] - ANSWERS -Panic. (1)
behaviours (1) such as crying and screaming.
Describe one emotional characteristic that might be seen in a person who has been diagnosed with a
phobia of wasps.
[2 marks] - ANSWERS -1. Anxiety and fear
Fear (feeling scared) is the immediate experience when a phobic encounters or think about the phobic
stimulus. Fear leads to anxiety (worrying and distress) in the presence of wasps.
Explain how a hierarchy AND relaxation might be used in the TREATMENT of someone who has a phobia
of wasps.
[4 marks] - ANSWERS -HIERARCHY
Patient and therapist design an anxiety hierarchy - a list ARRANGED in order from least to most
frightening situations. (1)
The client and therapist will IDENTIFY a list of fearful situations involving a wasp such as seeing a picture
of a wasp or seeing one in a jar and will RANK these from lowest to highest. (1)
RELAXATION
The patient is taught relaxation techniques such as deep breathing. (1)
, The patient then works through the anxiety hierarchy. At each level the patient is exposed to a wasp and
is encouraged to be in a relaxed state. (1)
Bob always checks that doors are locked and plug sockets are switched off. His checking routine has
become very time consuming. He now feels overwhelmed with fears that his family could be in danger if
he does not complete his checking routine. His doctor thinks Bob has obsessive compulsive disorder.
Explain what is meant by 'obsessions' and 'compulsions'. Refer to Bob in your answer.
[4 marks] - ANSWERS -Obsessions are persistent, recurring thoughts that are intrusive and unwanted.
(Bob is overwhelmed with fears that his family could be in danger).
Compulsions are behaviours that are carried out repeatedly in a ritualistic way to reduce anxiety. (Bob
always checks that doors are locked and plug sockets are switched off).
Bob's doctor is sending him for a BRAIN SCAN and is looking into his FAMILY HISTORY.
How might the biological approach be used to EXPLAIN Bob's obsessive compulsive disorder?
[4 marks] - ANSWERS -Genetic explanations have identified specific CANDIDATE GENES which create a
vulnerability for OCD.
OCD is polygenic, which means that several genes are involved such as the COMT gene and SERT.
Neural explanations have found that low levels of serotonin lowers mood.
Abnormal functioning of parahippocampal gyrus is associated with processing unpleasant emotions.
A Failure to function adequately
B Deviation from social norms
C Statistical infrequency
D Deviation from ideal mental health
