QCE Psychology: Psychological Disorders & Mental Health — Flashcards & Quiz

Q1: What are the four main definitions of abnormality?

Statistical infrequency: behaviour that deviates significantly from the statistical norm (e.g. IQ below 70). Deviation from social norms: behaviour that violates accepted social rules and standards. Failure to function adequately: behaviour that prevents a person from meeting daily demands (work, relationships, self-care). Deviation from ideal mental health: the absence of criteria for optimal psychological wellbeing (Jahoda, 1958), including self-actualisation, autonomy, accurate perception of reality and environmental mastery.

Q2: What is the DSM-5 and how is it used in clinical psychology?

The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, APA 2013) is the standard classification system used to diagnose mental disorders. It organises disorders into categories based on shared symptoms, specifies diagnostic criteria (number of symptoms, duration, severity), and uses a dimensional approach alongside categorical diagnosis. Benefits: provides a common language for clinicians, improves diagnostic reliability, guides treatment selection. Limitations: cultural bias, labelling effects (stigma), comorbidity challenges, and the categorical approach may oversimplify the spectrum of mental health.

Q3: Describe the symptoms and characteristics of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).

Generalised anxiety disorder is characterised by excessive, uncontrollable worry about multiple events or activities for at least 6 months. Symptoms include: restlessness or feeling on edge, easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension and sleep disturbance. The anxiety is disproportionate to the actual likelihood of the feared events and causes significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other areas of functioning. GAD differs from specific phobias in that the anxiety is generalised rather than focused on a specific stimulus.

Q4: Explain the psychological contributing factors to major depressive disorder.

Cognitive factors: Beck’s cognitive triad — negative automatic thoughts about the self ("I am worthless"), the world ("the world is hostile") and the future ("things will never improve"). Cognitive distortions include catastrophising, black-and-white thinking and overgeneralisation. Learned helplessness (Seligman, 1975): the belief that one has no control over negative events, leading to passivity and depression. Rumination: repetitive, passive dwelling on negative thoughts and feelings, which maintains and worsens depressive symptoms.

Q5: Apply the biopsychosocial model to explain the development of anxiety disorders.

Biological: genetic predisposition (family and twin studies show heritability of 30–40%), neurotransmitter imbalance (low GABA, overactive serotonin pathways), overactive amygdala (heightened threat processing). Psychological: classical conditioning (learned fear associations), cognitive biases (catastrophising, overestimation of threat), low self-efficacy, maladaptive coping strategies. Social: stressful life events (trauma, abuse), dysfunctional family environment, lack of social support, cultural factors (varying norms for anxiety expression), socioeconomic disadvantage. The model emphasises that no single factor is sufficient — the interaction between all three domains produces the disorder.

Q6: Describe how cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) treats anxiety disorders.

CBT for anxiety combines cognitive and behavioural techniques: Cognitive component: identifying and challenging anxious automatic thoughts (e.g. "I will definitely fail"), cognitive restructuring (developing evidence-based alternative thoughts), psychoeducation about anxiety. Behavioural component: graded exposure (gradually facing feared stimuli in a hierarchy from least to most anxiety-provoking), systematic desensitisation (pairing exposure with relaxation), behavioural experiments (testing predictions), activity scheduling. CBT is typically 12–20 sessions, structured, and collaborative. It has strong research support as a first-line treatment for anxiety disorders.

Q7: How do SSRIs and benzodiazepines differ as pharmacological treatments for mental disorders?

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors): block serotonin reuptake in the synapse, increasing serotonin availability. Used for depression and anxiety. Take 2–6 weeks for full effect. Side effects include nausea, insomnia and sexual dysfunction. Low addiction risk. Examples: fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft). Benzodiazepines: enhance GABA activity (the brain’s inhibitory neurotransmitter), reducing neural excitability. Fast-acting (within 30 minutes). Used for short-term anxiety relief. Risk of tolerance and physical dependence with long-term use. Examples: diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax).

Q8: How do neurotransmitter imbalances contribute to mental disorders?

Serotonin: low levels are associated with depression and anxiety. The serotonin hypothesis proposes that insufficient serotonin in the synaptic cleft contributes to depressive symptoms. GABA: reduced GABA activity (less neural inhibition) is linked to anxiety disorders, as the brain becomes more excitable and reactive to perceived threats. Dopamine: excess dopamine activity in certain brain pathways is associated with schizophrenia (dopamine hypothesis), while low dopamine is linked to the motivational and reward deficits in depression. Norepinephrine: imbalances are linked to mood disorders and anxiety.

Q1: The statistical infrequency definition classifies all statistically rare behaviours as abnormal, including positive extremes like genius.

Answer: TRUE

A limitation of the statistical infrequency definition is that it classifies all statistically rare behaviours as abnormal, including desirable extremes such as exceptional intelligence or extraordinary talent, which most people would not consider "abnormal" in a negative sense.

Q2: The DSM-5 uses a purely dimensional approach, placing all mental health on a single continuum.

Answer: FALSE

The DSM-5 primarily uses a categorical approach (classifying disorders into distinct categories with specific diagnostic criteria) but has incorporated some dimensional elements. It does not use a purely dimensional approach.

Q3: Generalised anxiety disorder involves excessive worry focused on one specific object or situation.

Answer: FALSE

GAD involves excessive, uncontrollable worry about multiple events or activities (work, health, relationships, finances), not a single specific stimulus. Worry focused on one specific object or situation is more characteristic of a specific phobia.

Q4: Beck’s cognitive triad describes negative automatic thoughts about the self, the world and the future.

Answer: TRUE

Beck’s cognitive triad proposes that depression is maintained by three interconnected patterns of negative thinking: negative views of the self ("I am worthless"), the world ("the world is hostile") and the future ("things will never improve").

Q5: The biopsychosocial model proposes that mental disorders are caused exclusively by biological factors.

Answer: FALSE

The biopsychosocial model proposes that mental disorders result from the interaction of biological, psychological and social factors. No single domain is sufficient to explain mental disorders — it is the combined influence of all three that determines outcomes.

Definitions of Abnormality

Knowing the four main definitions (statistical infrequency, social norms, failure to function, deviation from ideal mental health) and being able to evaluate each one is core QCAA content. Exam questions frequently require you to apply multiple definitions to a case study and discuss their limitations.

The Biopsychosocial Model

This model is the organising framework for all atypical behaviour content. Every QCAA response about mental disorders should address biological, psychological and social contributing factors and explain their interaction. Consistent use of this framework demonstrates sophisticated analytical thinking.

Anxiety and Depressive Disorders

Understanding the diagnostic criteria, contributing factors and treatments for anxiety disorders (phobias, GAD) and major depressive disorder is essential. QCAA frequently presents case studies and asks you to identify the condition, explain contributing factors and evaluate treatment approaches.

Evidence-Based Treatments

Being able to describe, compare and evaluate CBT, SSRIs and benzodiazepines is a key exam skill. QCAA expects you to discuss mechanisms of action, strengths, limitations and why combined approaches are often recommended.

What does this QCE Psychology topic cover?

Psychological Disorders & Mental Health covers defining abnormality (statistical infrequency, social norms, maladaptive behaviour, personal distress), the DSM-5 classification system, anxiety disorders (phobias, GAD, panic), depressive disorders (major depressive disorder), OCD and schizophrenia, the biopsychosocial model of mental disorder, and evidence-based treatments (CBT, pharmacotherapy, combined approaches).

How does this relate to the QCAA Psychology syllabus?

This is a supplementary revision page covering mental-health material commonly examined in external assessment. It is not pinned to a single QCAA unit — use it alongside your Unit 1–4 revision for the QCAA senior Psychology syllabus.

How should I study psychological disorders for the QCE Psychology exam?

Use the biopsychosocial model as a framework for every response. Memorise DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for key disorders. Practise evaluating the strengths and limitations of different definitions of abnormality and treatment approaches.