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Psychopathology, Evaluation Of Definition Of Abnormalities, Evaluation Of…
Psychopathology
Phobias
Phobias are an irrational fear of an object, place or situation that causes a constant avoidance of said object, place or situation.
All phobias are characterised by the excessive fear and anxiety caused by the object, place or situation
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Evaluation Of Phobias
Behavioural
Strengths
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The two-process model has real-world application, it explains using two distinctive elements how phobias are both created and maintained.
Watson and Rayner's 'Little Albert' study supports the two-process model as they showed how a frightening experience can be conditioned.
Limitations
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The two-process model does not account for the cognitive processes associated with phobias, behavioural explanations focus on the cause of behaviours, however, cognitive components play a significant part in why someone has a phobia.
Not all phobias appear following a bad experience and the phobia of snakes is evidenced in many people who have no experience of them, which does not support the two-process model.
Systematic
Strengths
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Systematic desensitisation is a fast treatment and requires less effort than most other psychotherapies
Technological advances mean dangerous situations can be lessened as the patients can also be treated with virtual reality: They can use VR headsets to go through their anxiety hierarchy
It is a successful treatment for those with learning disabilities, where other treatments may not be suitable
Systematic desensitisation doesn't require a huge cognitive load and means the patients are less likely to become confused
Has huge practical uses: Certain airlines use systematic desensitisation courses to help fearful flyers overcome their phobia
Such courses start with a walk through the airport, listening to a pilot explain what happens during a commercial flight before taking a short flight themselves
Limitations
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Systematic desensitisation doesn't treat the cause of the phobia, only the behaviour it causes
This may leave the patient vulnerable to other phobias developing as the real reason behind the fear has yet to be uncovered (Psychodynamic theory)
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This is difficult to prove but it has been noted that some patients struggle to deal with the phobia outside of the therapy sessions
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Evaluation Of Depression
Explanations
Strengths
CBT and REBT are quicker treatments than other therapies: Treatments usually last for 16 weeks and can be repeated if they are not successful the first time around.
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March et al. (2007) compared CBT to antidepressants and combination therapy when treating 327 depressed adolescents, they found that after 36 weeks, 81% of the CBT group, 81% of the antidepressant group and 86% of the combination group were all significantly improved, showing CBT is as effective as antidepressants and even more so when used in combination with them.
CBT is very effective in treating mild depression and stopping it from progressing into severe depression.
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The better trained the therapist, the more successful they are in their treatment outcomes.
Limitations
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Some clients with severe depression are unable to motivate themselves with the hard work needed for engagement with CBT.
CBT can be therapist centered, which is an ethical concern as it gives the therapist power and the client can become too dependent on the therapist.
CBT as with all 'talking therapies' is not very good for those clients who do not like to take or express themselves or lack the verbal skills to do so.
CBT when used to treat depression has a high relapse rate, so, although it is effective at treating depression, there are concerns as to how long those benefits last.
Treatments
Strengths
Personal life events are taken into account and are recognised as a starting point for the person's depression.
Joseph Cohen et al. (2019) supported Beck's findings, they tracked 473 adolescents, ensuring they measured their cognitive vulnerability regularly and found that those who had shown cognitive vulnerability predicted depression later on.
Real-world applications: Due to the findings of both Beck and following psychologists, it has allowed psychologists and therapists to understand cognitive vulnerability and apply it in treatments such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).
Limitations
It does not explain the symptoms of depression, such as why different depressed people may experience different feelings, E.g. Feeling extreme anger, hallucinations, or extreme exhaustion.
Not all irrational thoughts are irrational: Alloy & Abrahamson (1979) found that depressed people had the 'Sadder but Wiser effect' where they gave more accurate estimates of the likelihood of disaster than those not depressed.
Evaluation Of OCD
Explanations
Limitations
Ignores environmental factors, although twin studies are used as there is a greater genetic link, these twins also share the same environment, which could trigger OCD.
There is evidence to suggest that identical twins are treated 'more similar' in terms of their environment, (e.g. expectations, style of dress, extracurricular activities) than non-identical twins who are treated more as individuals.
Pato et al. (2001) noted that although there does seem to be a genetic link between OCD sufferers, there is not enough understanding about the actual genetic mechanisms causing OCD.
Grootheest et al. (2005) found that the genetic link was stronger in children that were sufferers of OCD, than when the OCD originated in adulthood, showing the probability of different causes.
Strengths
A strong evidence base of research, especially within twin studies.
Nestadt et al. (2010) reviewed evidence that 68% of identical twins will both have OCD compared to 31% of non-identical twins. Marini et al (2012) found a person with a family member diagnosed with OCD is around 4 times as likely to develop it as someone without
This is a significant link to show that genetics play an important role in the development of OCD and that nature (in the nature/nurture debate) is shown to play a large role here.
Grootheest et al. (2005) found their genetic link was stronger in children that were sufferers of OCD.
Treatments
Strengths
Evidence of Effectiveness, although drug therapy doesn't 'cure' OCD, it allows for a significant improvement i.n the suffering life, reducing OCD behaviours.
Drug therapy is cost-effective as they are cheaper than other psychological treatments, which is preferred for health services that have a budget they must adhere to.
Drug therapy is non-disruptive to people's lives as they do not have to give up time to attend therapy.
Greist et al. (1995) conducted a meta-analysis where they reviewed placebo-controlled trials of the effects of 4 drugs on OCD, they found all 4 drugs were significantly more effective than the placebo.
NICE (The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) who recommends treatments for illnesses in the UK, and states that a mix of therapy and drugs works best.
The therapist can help with the side effects of the drug and ensure the patient still takes them whilst the drugs can often work faster than the therapy so the sufferer feels some progress.
Limitations
Side-effects: Drug therapies can have potentially serious side effects: With SSRIs, these side effects can include; blurred vision, loss of sexual appetite, irritability, indigestion, and sleep pattern disruption.
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Simpson (2004) found that 45% of cases in 12 weeks relapsed, compared to only 12% of patients who had CBT. This suggests, that drug therapy does not treat OCD.
Publication bias has been shown that positive results are more likely to be published than not, According to Goldacre (2013), as drug companies sponsor the drug trials, they selectively publish positive outcomes for the drugs their sponsors are selling.