...Outline and evaluate the behavioural approach to psychopathology (12 marks) One assumption of the behavioural approach is that only behaviour is important and that this behaviour is learned through experience. The processes of this learning include classical conditioning where associations are made between one thing and the other. Operant conditioning where abnormal behaviour is reinforced or the social learning theory (SLT) where abnormal behaviours are learnt vicariously. For example, a child may observe its mother obsessively cleaning the house and being praised by the father for doing so. This consequence (e.g. praise) may be enough to initiate the same abnormal behaviour (e.g. OCD) in the child. The behaviourist approach assumes that abnormal behaviours that have been learnt can be unlearnt using the same processes (operant conditioning, classical conditioning and SLT). So, undesirable or abnormal behaviour e.g. a phobia, can be replaced with more desirable or normal behavior using therapies such as systematic desensitisation. One strength of the behavioural approach is that therapy can focus directly on the client's maladaptive behaviour. For example, if a patient suffers from arachnophobia then the treatment can be directed solely towards getting rid of the fear of spiders instead of referring to the client's previous or medical history. This shows that changing the behaviour from maladaptive to adaptive is sufficient for a cure. One...
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...Psychological Therapies Outline and Evaluate one or more psychological therapies used in the treatment of abnormalities (12 Marks) There are many psychological therapies that are used to treat psychological disorders. Systematic desensitisation is just one of these therapies that are developed by behaviourists in order to treat phobias, as it aims to make an individual learn that feared objects are not so fearful. This can be achieved by introducing the object gradually. If maladaptive behaviours have been learnt by classical or operant conditioning it should be possible to change them, therefore Systematic desensitisation takes a practical problem-solving approach based upon classical conditioning. It uses reverse conditioning to replace a maladaptive response to a stimulus with an adaptive response. Psychologists work with the patient and help create hierarchy of events relating to the original stimulus, by associating an alternative response (e.g. muscle relaxation) to the object instead of the response of anxiety. This is useful as if a person it able to tolerate imagined stressful situations then it will be followed by a reduction in anxiety; meaning the treatment is only effective if a client can apply their learnt behaviour to real life. There is also research evidence to support the treatment, as McGrath et al (1990) demonstrated that Systematic desensitisation is effective for 75% of people with phobias. This empirical evidence demonstrates that SD is an effective...
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...OUTLINE and EVALUATE the BEHAVIOURAL MODEL (explanation) of ABNORMALITY The basic assumption of the Behavioural Model is that all behaviour is learnt. This can happen in 3 ways: - Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning and Social Learning. Classical Conditioning is ‘learning through association’ e.g. a phobia of small spaces may develop when someone has been frightened having been trapped in a lift. They associate fear with small spaces. As demonstrated by the study on little albert by Watson and Rayners 1920. Before conditioning the loud noise was the unconditioned stimulus and led to fear and crying as an unconditioned response. The white rate was a neutral stimulus and there was no response. During conditioning the loud noise paired with the white rat let to fear and crying as such, after conditioning the white rat led to fear and crying. Operant Conditioning is ‘learning through the consequences of behaviour’. If behaviour is rewarded it will be reinforced. E.g. If a child’s tantrum is rewarded by sweets it will be maintained or increased but if it is punished it will decrease. This is known as direct reinforcement. Social Learning is when behaviour is observed and copied. E.g. a child might develop a fear of spiders by watching a parent being frightened by them. This is shown through the Bobo Doll studies by Bandura and Ross. In the study 3 groups of children watched a video in which they witnessed and adult aggressive towards a Bobo doll but with...
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...Outline and evaluate the Biological Approach to Depression According to the biological approach all psychological illnesses have a physical cause; it focus is on the treatment not the cure this can support the reason why relapse rates are high for individuals with depression. The biological approach to abnormality states that abnormality is caused by a range of different physical factors: Genetics and chemical imbalances in the brain. It is suggested that people possess certain genetic characteristics that make them more prone to developing abnormal behaviour such as depression. It is also thought that chemical imbalances in the brain produce abnormal behaviour, for example a lack of serotonin causes depression. This approach is better at explaining endogenous depression. Family, twin and adoption studies are used to research into depression. Supporting evidence for the biological approach is that depression is universal, as they are increasing and found cross culturally. Weismann (1987) stated that family evidence suggests that a person is 10 times more likely to suffer from depression, if a parent or sibling has a similar disorder. This could be because living with a person who is depressed could be depressing. However, according to a behavioural explanation this behaviour could have being modelled as the female could identify with the eating disorder and use them as a role model. Also family studies are conducted using retrospective data (looking back) and rely on correct...
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...Outline and Evaluate the Behavioural Approach to Psychopathology The behaviourist approach assumes that all behaviours are learnt. It suggests that there are three ways in which this learning can happen, these are classical conditioning, operant conditioning and social learning. The first method is classical conditioning this is when behaviour is learnt through association; via a stimulus and a response. This is an explanation for phobias, an abnormal behaviour can be learned by associating an environmental stimulus; a dog, with a biological response; fear and pain when bitten by the dog. Therefore, every time a person previously bitten by a dog sees a dog, they experience the same fear they felt when being bitten. Thus, the person would develop a phobia of dogs. Another example is, the fear of small spaces, this may develop if fear is felt in a situation involving a small space – an elevator for example. Therefore a past distressing event in the elevator may lead to associating fear with small spaces. The second way is operant conditioning, this is when behaviour is learnt through positive reinforcement; rewarded by a pleasant outcome or a negative reinforcement; rewarded by the removal of the unpleasant condition. This can be associated to abnormalities like anorexia for example. If a person is dieting and they then begin to gain compliments from the weight loss, these compliments act as a positive reinforcement and they will carry on behaving the same way. If this were to...
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...provided to plan your answer. In Question 3, you will be marked on your ability to: – use good English – organise information clearly – use specialist vocabulary where appropriate. (Jun10psya201) G/T52601 6/6/6/ PSYA2 2 Section A Biological Psychology Answer all questions in the spaces provided. Do not write outside the box Total for this question: 6 marks 1 The following data show the results from a study into different strategies for coping with stress. 100 student volunteers were first given a talk about emotion-focused approaches and then given a talk about problem-focused approaches. They were then asked which one of these strategies they generally preferred. Preferred coping strategy Emotion-focused approach Men Women 1 (a) 11 27 Problem-focused approach 39 23...
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...Discuss the behavioural approach to explaining psychological abnormalities (12 marks) The behavioural approach focuses on the behaviour of an individual in order to explain psychological problems. Behaviourists claim that abnormal behaviour is learned through experiences in the same way as most other behaviour through classical and operant conditioning. Behaviourists believe the concept of classical conditioning can be used to explain the development of many abnormal behaviours, including phobias and taste aversions. The theory of classical conditioning is used to explain how behaviour is learnt through ‘stimulus-response’ associations. An event in the environment (stimulus) results in a physiological reaction (response) in the individual. Then the events and reactions are forged into an association which can lead to the development of phobias. For example a person may climb the top of a high hill and when looking down (environmental stimulus) may experience nausea or dizziness (physiological response). This then will be made into a stimulus-response association and will lead to the development of a phobia e.g. the fear of heights, which means the person, will be scared of heights and will avoid them whenever possible. Watson and Rayner demonstrated how phobias are learnt through conditioning in their experiment involving “Little Albert”. They experimented with an 11-month-old boy, ‘little Albert’, producing fear of a white rat by associating it with loud and frightful noise...
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...This assignment will evaluate the dimensions of treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) through Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR will be analysed in terms of its clinical efficacy and practical effectiveness utilizing extensive outcome literature and research. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a trauma and stressor related psychiatric condition that occurs through exposure to isolated or multiple traumatic events (Lake, 2012). Traumatic events mainly encompass direct or by proxy exposure to death, serious injury or sexual violation, such as sexual assault, car accidents, warfare, or natural disasters (Barlow & Durand, 2015). Symptoms The symptoms of PTSD...
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...behaviour? * Can somebody learn to be an addict? * How might explanations of addiction differ for different addictions? What you need to know MODELS OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOUR | EXPLANATIONS OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOUR | * Biological, behavioural (learning), and cognitive models of addictive behaviour | * Biological, behavioural (learning), and cognitive explanations for initiation, maintenance, and relapse * Specific explanations of particular addictions including smoking and gambling | MODELS OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOUR The models of addictive behaviour attempt to explain the causes and thereby offer insights into how an addiction develops. The assumptions as to the causes of addiction also affect the approach taken to treatment. Biological model of addictive behaviour According to this model, the main causes of addictive behaviour are biological factors within the individual, for example, a neurochemical imbalance or a genetic predisposition towards addictive behaviour. Thus, the vulnerability to develop an addiction may be inherited and family studies are used to support this explanation. Thus approach assumes that addiction has physical causes and can therefore only be cured through medicine. Behavioural (learning) model of addictive behaviour This model is based on the principles of learning and the assumption that all behaviour is learned through association (classical conditioning), reinforcement (operant conditioning), or social learning (social...
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...The Behaviourist Approach 1a) Outline two assumptions of the Behaviourist Approach (4 marks) One assumption of the Behaviourist Approach is that they believe the environment influences behaviour. An example of this behaviour would be social learning theory were it is believed that we learn through observing and imitating models such as parents this is known as environmental determinism. Another assumption of the Behaviourist Approach is that they believe scientific methods should be used only to study behaviour which is observable. They believe mental behaviour cannot be objectively measured, so choose to only study actions that can be observed, e.g. the learning of aggression via lab experiments by ‘Bandura’. 1b) Describe the Social Learning Theory of Aggression (8 marks) The Social Learning Theory (SLT) is learning through observing and imitating models such as parents or people in the media. It is a behaviourist theory because it can be tested in a controlled environment (laboratory) and conclusions from observations can be drawn, and behaviourists say we learn from our environment. Bandura (1977) also claimed that for social learning to take place individuals must undergo four stages. The first one being attention, individuals will learn the Aggressive Behaviour if they observe the model’s behaviour. Secondly, retention, the behaviour must be remembered in order for the individual to apply it. The third stage is reproduction: individuals must be able to reproduce the...
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...SAJ DEVSHI (C) AQA Psychology (A) Psya2 A* Students Model Essays The A* Students Handbook For More Psychology Resources visit: www.Loopa.co.uk C HAPTER 1 A little about me Firstly thank you for purchasing this book for AQA Psychology Psya2 (Paper 2). A bit about me: My name is Sajan Devshi and I was a private student that self-taught myself AQA Psychology from 2011-2012 and I received my certificate in January 2013 Achieving an A* Grade. The certificate you can view on my website http://www.loopa.co.uk - You can also get my other A* model essay answers from there too for the other topics I did. I achieved an A* grade overall scoring two A’s in Psya1 and Psya2 as well as 100% in both my A2 exams (Psya3 and Psya4) My final score was 373/400 ums points. (You only needed 90% in A2 and 320 for an A* grade). So basically I didn’t just beat the boundary - I absolutely smashed it. How did I do it? It wasn’t easy and I am by no means some savant genius. I made great notes and essays that simplified things for me as I had no teachers and it is these notes I share with you now for Psya2 and the essay questions that can be asked for it. If your curious to know more about me you can visit my website at http://www.loopa.co.uk There it tells you more about me, how I self-taught myself as well as contact me directly for help and advice as well as get my other essay answers there instantly. Theres also great resources there too with more added on a weekly basis...
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...Health & Clinical Psychology Healthy Living Stress Dysfunctional Behaviour Disorders [pic] [pic] [pic] Contents • Objectives for the Health and Clinical Psychology module 6 • What is Health Psychology? Careers in Health Psychology 7 • Unit G543: Health and Clinical Psychology 8 • Exemplar exam paper 9 PART A – INFORMATION TO HELP EVALUATE STUDIES • Evaluation sheet for the theories/studies of Health Psychology 10 • Guide for answering part A & part B exam questions 11 PART B – HEALTHY LIVING • Introduction to Healthy Living 14 • Theories of Health Belief 17 • Compliance with a Medical Regime for Asthma (Becker 1978) 18 • Internal versus External Locus of Control (Rotter 1966) 21 • Analysis of Self-Efficacy Theory of Behavioural Change (Bandura and Adams 1977) 23 • Summary of the health belief theories 26 • Comprehension questions for theories of health belief 27 • Part A exam question 28 • Part B exam question 29 • Evaluation sheet of health belief theories/studies 30 Introduction to Health Promotion 31 • Theories of Health Promotion • Chip pan fire prevention (Cowpe 1983) 32 • Legislation-Bicycle helmet laws and educational campaigns (Dannenberg et al. 1993) 34 • Effects of Fear arousal (Janis & Feshbeck 1953) 37 • Summary of the health...
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...LESSON FIVE & SIX – ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EATING DISORDERS ------------------------------------------------- Specification link: You will be able to outline and evaluate: ------------------------------------------------- Biological, including neural and evolutionary, explanations of anorexia nervosa ------------------------------------------------- Psychology explanations of anorexia nervosa Outline and description of theories | Research evidence and commentary | IntroductionThe DSM-IV Rev identifies three categories of eating disorder: * Anorexia nervosa 1. AN -restricting type – refusal to eat 2. AN- binge eating/purging type – episodes of binge eating followed by removal of food from the body by vomiting, laxatives, or enemas.Both of these are associated with significant weight loss and the other symptoms of AN. * Bulimia nervosa – episodes of binging followed by removal of food from the body by vomiting, laxatives, or enemas (no significant weight loss). * Eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS)The four major symptoms of anorexia nervosa are: * The body weight is 85% or less of normal weight for age and height * Distorted perception of body weight/shape, and/or denial that the weight loss is severe * Intense fear of becoming fat * Loss of three consecutive menstrual cycles in women (amenorrhoea)Anorexia nervosa (AN) and Bulimia nervosa (BN) have much in common, particularly a dissatisfaction with body weight and/or shape....
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...PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA To read up on biological explanations of schizophrenia, refer to pages 397–408 of Eysenck’s A2 Level Psychology. Ask yourself * How would the psychodynamic approach explain schizophrenia? * How would the behavioural approach explain schizophrenia? * How would the cognitive approach explain schizophrenia? What you need to know PSYCHODYNAMIC EXPLANATION | COGNITIVE EXPLANATIONS | SOCIO-CULTURAL EXPLANATIONS | * Freud’s explanation of the factors involved in the development of schizophrenia | * Based on the assumption that cognitive impairments play a role in the development and maintenance of schizophrenia | * Life events * Interpersonal communication within families * Social causation hypothesis | Psychodynamic explanation According to the psychodynamic approach, abnormality is caused when trauma from unresolved conflict between the id, ego, and superego is repressed into the unconscious and this causes regression to an earlier stage of psychosexual development. (see A2 Level Psychology pages 397–399 for a more detailed review of the psychosexual stages and fixation and regression). Fixation and regression mean that the ego is not fully developed and so the individual may be dominated by the id or the superego, and because the ego is weak the individual will lack a sound basis in reality. The psychodynamic explanation suggests most schizophrenics experienced very harsh childhood environments...
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...PYC4802/101/0/2015 Tutorial letter 101/0/2015 Psychopathology PYC4802 Year module Department of Psychology IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This tutorial letter contains important information about your module. CONTENTS Page 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 3 1.1 Turorial material ....................................................................................................... 4 2. PURPOSE OF AND OUTCOMES FOR THE MODULE ......................................... 4 2.1 Purpose ................................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Outcomes ................................................................................................................ 4 3. LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS ............................................................ 6 3.1 Lecturer(s) ............................................................................................................... 6 3.2 Department .............................................................................................................. 7 3.3 University ................................................................................................................. 7 4. MODULE-RELATED RESOURCES ....................................................................... 7 4.1 Prescribed book.....
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