amazon.co.ukPsychopathology
A-Level Psychology revision: Psychopathology. Learning objectives, key points, worked examples and practice questions across AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC and CCEA.
📌 Key Points
Key Fact: Definitions: Statistical (rare, e.g. IQ<70), Social norms (culture-specific), FFAD (distress, dysfunction), Ideal MH (Jahoda: autonomy, reality perception, etc.)
Key Fact: Phobias: Two-process (classical: fear acquisition, operant: avoidance maintenance); Preparedness (Seligman: evolved fears); CBT: exposure, cognitive restructuring
Key Fact: Depression: Biological (5-HTT gene, serotonin, cortisol/HPA axis); Cognitive (Beck: negative triad, schema, cognitive distortions); Learned helplessness (Seligman); Treatments: SSRIs (6-8 weeks), CBT (behavioural activation, cognitive restructuring)
Key Fact: OCD: Obsessions (intrusive), Compulsions (repetitive); Biological (COMT, SLC1A1, basal ganglia, serotonin); Cognitive (inflated responsibility, thought-action fusion); ERP (exposure response prevention)
Key Fact: Treatments: SSRIs (fluoxetine), Benzos (short-term), ECT (severe, resistant); CBT (gold standard for anxiety/depression); ERP (OCD)
Key Fact: Classification: DSM-5 (APA), ICD-11 (WHO); Reliability (inter-rater), Validity (construct, predictive); Comorbidity (e.g. depression+anxiety); Culture-bound syndromes
🎯 Learning Objectives
- Define abnormality: statistical infrequency, deviation from social norms, failure to function adequately, deviation from ideal mental health
- Understand phobias: behavioural (classical conditioning, two-process), cognitive (irrational thoughts), biological (preparedness)
- Explain depression: biological (genetics, neurotransmitters, neuroendocrine), cognitive (Beck's triad, learned helplessness), psychological treatments
- Understand OCD: biological (genetics, basal ganglia, serotonin), cognitive (intrusive thoughts, inflated responsibility), treatments
- Evaluate treatments: biological (SSRIs, benzodiazepines, ECT), psychological (CBT, exposure, systematic desensitisation)
- Understand diagnosis and classification: DSM-5, ICD-11, reliability/validity issues, comorbidity, cultural bias
💡 Worked Example
Exam-Style Question
Question: Explain the two-process model of phobias and evaluate it
Model Answer:
Classical: neutral stimulus (spider) paired with fear (trauma) -> CS elicits CR (fear). Operant: avoidance reduces fear -> negative reinforcement maintains phobia. Evaluation: explains acquisition/maintenance; ignores cognition (irrational thoughts), preparedness (why spiders not flowers?), individual differences; CBT addresses limitations
❓ Practice Questions
Model answers are being added progressively - questions marked ✗ don't have one yet. Cross-check with your teacher or the official mark scheme.
Questions:
- Compare four definitions of abnormality✗ answer coming soon
- Explain Beck's negative triad✗ answer coming soon
- Evaluate SSRIs for depression✗ answer coming soon
- Describe ERP for OCD✗ answer coming soon
- Discuss cultural bias in DSM-5✗ answer coming soon
🎬 Video Resources
- Psychopathology - Overview -- YouTube Search
- Psychopathology - Exam Questions -- YouTube Search
📄 Past Papers & Exam Resources
🔗 Further Reading & Resources
- Physics & Maths Tutor - Psychopathology -- Free notes, worksheets, and past paper questions by topic
- Dr Frost Maths - Psychopathology -- Free resources, slides, and interactive questions
- BBC Bitesize - Psychopathology -- BBC Bitesize revision resources