Cambridge International AS and A Level Psychology Coursebook
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Psychology of Consumer Behavior- As and A level summary notes
Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) Psychology Extremely Detailed Study Notes for the Biological Approach (Canli et al. ; Dement and Kleitman ; Schachter and Singer)
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A2 Psychology: Abnormalities
Bipolar & related disorders- Characteristics (Pt 1)
Abnormal Affect
• Is concerned with mood and emotion disorders grossly amplified
• Mood disorders- Characterised by gross deviations (obvious changes) in mood:
o Feelings of joy or sadness over a long period of time
o Sufficiently severe enough to cause marked impairment in social / occupational functioning
(disturbs day-day life)
• Emotion disorders- Amplified beyond normal ups and downs- Extremely (+) or (-)
a
Depression
Definition- An emotional state marked by great sadness and feelings of worthlessness & guilt
• There are different types of depression, but the most common type is MDD
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)- Characterised by persistent low mood, lack of energy & hopelessness
• Low mood is long term without periods of mania
Prevalence
DSM-V: diagnosis criteria
• Lifetime risk:
1. 5 or more symptoms present in a 2-week period o Men: 3-12%
2. Shows a change from previous functioning
o Women: 20-26%
3. At least 1 symptom includes:
• FM > M- Females twice as likely
o Depressed mood
o Loss of interest/pleasure • 1st degree relatives with diagnosis
of alcoholism, bipolar or major
•
Symptoms: depression have higher risk
o Physical- • Onset age: 20-40 years
▪ Significant weight loss/ gain (5%) • Of those diagnosed with
▪ Insomnia/ hypersomnia depression:
▪ Psychomotor agitation/ retardation o 15-20% Chronic depression
▪ Fatigue/ loss of energy
o 15- 20% (up to 40%) May
o Cognitive
attempt suicide
▪ Feeling of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
▪ Diminished ability to think or concentrate
o Emotional
▪ Depressed most of the day
▪ Reduced interest or pleasure in activities previously enjoyed
▪ Recurrent thoughts of suicide/ thoughts of suicide without a specific plan 1
Notes compiled by: Chew Wen Min
, Mania
Definition- Feeling extreme excitement & euphoria, are over active
• May also feel powerful, invincible or destined for greatness
• Manic episodes cause the individual to make dangerous & stupid decisions:
o Gambling away life savings
o Having impulsive sex- may be unsafe sex
o Picking fights with others
o Becoming delusional and hearing voices (psychosis symptoms)
DSM-V: diagnosis criteria
1. Lasting at least 1 week, and present most of the day
2. 3 or more symptoms
3. Distinct period of abnormally & persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood
4. Persistently increased goal-directed activity / energy
• Symptoms:
o Inflated self esteem & grandiosity (think that they’re all powerful and correct)
o need for sleep
o More talkative than usual/ pressure to keep talking
o Racing thoughts/ Flight of ideas (can’t restrain thoughts)
o Psychomotor agitation/ goal directed activity
o Excessive involvement in activities with high potential for painful consequences
▪ Ex: Cliff diving, risky business investment, shopping spree
Hypomania
• Less severe than mania, but higher than normal happiness
• Differences:
rtjmhm o Doesn’t cause marked impairment in functioning- can still go about their day
o (means technically not under Abnormal Affect)
o Lasts 4 days (not 1 week)
o Not necessarily problematic, but contributes to definition of several mood disorders
Bipolar Depression
• A mental disorder that causes strong changes in mood & energy, swinging from one extreme to
another
• Individuals suffer from episodes of Depression or Mania
o Episodes can last several weeks or longer
o Episodes can be of different duration and intervals (diff people might have diff cycles)
• Sufferers rarely experience a “normal mood” (constantly impaired)
2
Notes compiled by: Chew Wen Min
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