These are detailed Key Studies for the Psychopathology Topic of AQA A-Level Psychology. They were written by me using a combination of the textbook and class notes. I will also be uploading the other topics and creating bundles.
Topics Included:
- Definitions of Abnormality
- Characteristics of...
Study Name What it Found
Rosenhan & Signs to determine if someone is not coping:
Seligman (1989) - When a person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules e.g., eye contact and
personal space
- When a person experiences severe personal distress
- When a person's behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or others.
Jahoda (1958) Ideal mental health criteria:
- Self actualisation ~ the extent to which an individual develops their full capabilities and
reaches their potential
- Integration ~ we can cope with stressful situations
- Accurate perception of reality ~ we have a realistic view of the world
- Self attitudes ~ we have high self-esteem, a strong sense of identity and lack guilt
- Autonomy ~ we are independent of other people and self-regulating
- Mastery of the environment ~ we can successfully function at work and in
interpersonal relationships, we have the ability to love, adjust to new situations and solve
problems.
Behavioural Approach to Explaining Phobias:
Study Name What it Found
Mowrer (1960) Proposed the two-process model
Watson & Raynor Little Albert Study
(1920) Created a phobia in a 9-month-old baby through classical conditioning.
Method:
1. Whenever Albert played with a white rat, a loud noise was made close to his ear. The
noise (UCS) caused a fear response (UCR).
2. Rat (NS) did not create fear until the bang and the rat had been paired together
several times.
3. Albert showed a fear response (CR) every time he came into contact with the rat.
(now a CS).
Seligman (1971) Biological preparedness - we are innately prepared to fear some things more than others.
Ad De Jongh et al. Found 73% of people with a fear of dental treatment had experienced a traumatic
(2006) experience involving dentistry.
Buck (2010) Behaviour can be motivated by positive feelings of safety. This is why some agoraphobics
can leave the house with a friend but not alone.
Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias:
Study Name What it Found
Gilroy et al. (2003) Found that after 3 and 33 months, systematic desensitisation patients were less fearful
than a control group
Theresa Wescher Concluded systematic desensitisation was effective for specific phobia, social phobia and
et al. (2019) agoraphobia
Jacqueline Persons Reported a case of a woman treated by flooding for a fear of death, fear of death
(1986) declined but fear of being criticised got worse.
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