Question 1

How does "statistical infrequency" define abnormal behavior?

Accepted Answer

Statistical infrequency defines abnormality mathematically by looking at how rare a specific trait or behavior is within a population. Using a normal distribution curve, individuals who fall at the extreme ends—such as the top or bottom two percent—are categorized as abnormal. A clinical example of this is Intellectual Disability Disorder, which is diagnosed in part because a score below 70 on an IQ test is statistically rare. While this method is objective and avoids personal bias, its primary weakness is that it fails to distinguish between "rare but desirable" traits, like high intelligence, and "rare but undesirable" traits.

Question 2

What is the "Two-Process Model" regarding phobias?

Accepted Answer

The Two-Process Model explains that phobias are acquired through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning. A person develops a phobia when a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a frightening unconditioned stimulus, creating a conditioned fear response. The phobia persists because the individual practices avoidance behavior; every time they avoid the feared object, their anxiety drops, which acts as negative reinforcement. This "reward" of reduced anxiety makes the avoidance behavior more likely to continue, preventing the person from ever learning that the stimulus is actually harmless.

Question 3

What is Beck’s "Negative Triad" in the context of depression?

Accepted Answer

Beck’s Negative Triad is a cognitive model suggesting that depression stems from a cycle of automatic, negative thoughts about three specific areas: the self, the world, and the future. According to this theory, individuals with depression have "faulty information processing" or negative schemas that cause them to ignore positive experiences and focus only on the negative. For example, a person might think "I am a failure" (self), "The world is a cruel place" (world), and "Things will never improve" (future). This creates a self-fulfilling prophecy where the individual's pessimistic outlook reinforces their depressive state.

Question 4

How does the biological approach explain the causes of OCD?

Accepted Answer

The biological approach attributes Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) to genetic predispositions and specific brain structures. Research involving twin studies shows that identical twins are significantly more likely to both have OCD than fraternal twins, suggesting a strong hereditary link involving genes that regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin. Structurally, OCD is linked to a "hyperactive" circuit in the brain involving the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), which sends "error signals." In a healthy brain, these signals clear once a task is completed, but in an OCD brain, the OFC continues to fire, leading to the repetitive compulsions used to quiet the perceived "worry" signal.

AQA Psychology: Defining Abnormality for the Exam

How This Personalized Podcast Was Made