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This lesson consolidates the key concepts from the Psychological Problems topic for AQA GCSE Psychology.
| Definition | Core Idea | Key Strength | Key Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistical infrequency | Behaviour that is statistically rare | Objective and measurable | Does not distinguish desirable from undesirable rarity |
| Deviation from social norms | Behaviour that breaks social rules | Considers social context | Norms vary by culture and time period |
| Failure to function adequately | Cannot cope with daily life | Person-centred — focuses on suffering | Subjective — who decides what is "adequate"? |
| Deviation from ideal mental health | Lacking Jahoda's 6 criteria | Positive, comprehensive approach | Unrealistically high standard; culturally biased |
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prevalence | ~264 million worldwide; more common in women |
| Duration for diagnosis | At least 2 weeks of persistent symptoms |
| Emotional symptoms | Persistent sadness, loss of interest, hopelessness |
| Behavioural symptoms | Social withdrawal, sleep/appetite changes, reduced activity |
| Cognitive symptoms | Negative thinking, concentration difficulties, rumination |
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Cognitive triad | Negative views of self, world, and future |
| Negative schemas | Deep negative beliefs formed in childhood |
| Cognitive biases | Distorted thinking patterns (overgeneralisation, selective abstraction, etc.) |
| Treatment | Led to CBT |
| Feature | Antidepressants (SSRIs) | CBT |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Block serotonin reuptake | Challenge negative thoughts and behaviours |
| Speed | 4–6 weeks for effect | 12–20 sessions over months |
| Side effects | Yes (nausea, insomnia, etc.) | None |
| Addresses causes | No | Yes |
| Relapse | Higher when stopping | Lower — skills retained |
| Best for | Moderate–severe depression | Mild–moderate depression |
| Combined | Most effective when used together |
flowchart TD
A[Depression] --> B[Drug therapy: SSRIs]
A --> C[CBT]
B --> D[Block serotonin reuptake]
C --> E[Challenge negative triad]
D --> F[Symptom relief in 4-6 weeks]
E --> G[Address underlying causes]
F --> H[Combined treatment]
G --> H
H --> I[Most effective: March et al. 2004]
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Tolerance | Need more for same effect |
| Withdrawal | Physical/psychological symptoms when stopping |
| Compulsion | Powerful urge to use |
| Loss of control | Cannot limit use |
| Salience | Addiction becomes most important thing |
| Continued despite harm | Use continues despite negative consequences |
| Relapse | Return to use after abstinence |
| Explanation | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Genetics | Twin studies show genetic vulnerability; DRD2 gene |
| Dopamine reward | Substances cause dopamine surges; tolerance reduces natural dopamine |
| Peer influence | Social pressure, modelling, normalisation |
| Personality | Impulsivity, sensation-seeking, neuroticism |
| Biopsychosocial | Interaction of all factors |
One definition is statistical infrequency, which defines abnormality as behaviour or characteristics that are statistically rare in the population. Using a normal distribution, any characteristic that falls in the extreme ends (typically the top or bottom 2.5%) is considered abnormal. For example, an IQ below 70 is statistically rare and may indicate an intellectual disability. However, a limitation is that this definition does not distinguish between desirable and undesirable rarity — an IQ of 150 is also statistically rare but is not considered a problem.
Beck proposed that depression is caused by negative thinking patterns. He identified the cognitive triad — negative views of the self ("I am worthless"), the world ("the world is hostile"), and the future ("things will never improve"). These negative views are maintained by cognitive biases such as overgeneralisation (drawing broad conclusions from single events) and selective abstraction (focusing only on negative details). The negative thinking patterns originate from negative schemas formed in childhood that act as filters, causing the person to interpret experiences negatively.
Drug therapy (e.g. SSRIs) works by altering brain chemistry — SSRIs block the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its availability in the synapse. CBT works by identifying and challenging negative thinking patterns and replacing them with more balanced thoughts. Drug therapy provides relatively fast symptom relief but has side effects (nausea, insomnia) and higher relapse rates when medication is stopped. CBT takes longer (12–20 sessions) and requires active effort from the patient, but it addresses the underlying causes of depression and has lower relapse rates because patients retain the skills they have learned. Research (March et al., 2004) suggests that the combination of drug therapy and CBT is more effective than either treatment alone.
Final Exam Tip: Psychological Problems questions often require you to evaluate treatments. Always compare drug therapy and CBT, using specific evidence. The strongest answers will note that combined treatment is most effective and will consider individual differences in treatment response.
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