TCE Psychology Level 3: Abnormal Psychology — Flashcards & Quiz

Q1: What are the four main approaches to defining abnormality?

Statistical infrequency: behaviour that is statistically rare in the population. Deviation from social norms: behaviour that violates unwritten societal rules. Failure to function adequately: behaviour that interferes with daily life (e.g. work, relationships, self-care). Deviation from ideal mental health (Jahoda, 1958): absence of positive characteristics such as self-actualisation, autonomy and accurate perception of reality. Each approach has strengths and limitations.

Q2: What is the DSM-5 and what are its strengths and limitations?

The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) is published by the American Psychiatric Association and provides standardised criteria for diagnosing mental disorders. Strengths: improves diagnostic reliability, facilitates communication between clinicians, supports research. Limitations: may medicalise normal behaviour, categorical rather than dimensional, cultural bias (Western-centric), influenced by pharmaceutical industry interests.

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

Generalised anxiety disorder involves persistent, excessive worry about multiple areas of life (health, finances, work, relationships) for at least six months. Symptoms include restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension and sleep disturbance. GAD differs from normal worry in its intensity, duration, pervasiveness and the degree to which it interferes with daily functioning.

Q4: What are specific phobias and how are they explained by different psychological perspectives?

Specific phobias are intense, irrational fears of particular objects or situations that lead to avoidance behaviour. Behavioural explanation: classical conditioning (Watson’s Little Albert) creates the fear; operant conditioning (negative reinforcement through avoidance) maintains it — Mowrer’s two-factor model. Biological explanation: genetic predisposition, evolutionary preparedness (Seligman — we more easily develop fears of evolutionary threats). Cognitive explanation: irrational threat appraisal and attention bias toward threatening stimuli.

Q5: Describe the symptoms and biopsychosocial explanations of major depressive disorder.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) involves at least five symptoms for two or more weeks: depressed mood, loss of interest (anhedonia), weight/appetite changes, sleep disturbance, psychomotor changes, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating and suicidal ideation. Biological: serotonin/noradrenaline imbalance, genetic predisposition. Psychological: Beck’s negative cognitive triad (negative views of self, world, future). Social: stressful life events, social isolation, socioeconomic disadvantage.

Q6: How does the biopsychosocial model explain mental illness?

The biopsychosocial model (Engel, 1977) proposes that mental disorders result from the interaction of biological factors (genetics, neurochemistry, brain structure), psychological factors (cognition, emotion, personality, coping styles) and social factors (relationships, culture, socioeconomic status, life events). No single factor is sufficient — mental illness arises from their interaction. This model replaced the purely biomedical approach and is now the dominant framework in clinical psychology.

Q7: Explain how Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) works to treat mental disorders.

CBT is based on the principle that distorted thinking (cognitive distortions) leads to maladaptive emotions and behaviours. Treatment involves: identifying automatic negative thoughts, challenging their accuracy using evidence, replacing them with more balanced thinking (cognitive restructuring) and practising new behaviours (behavioural activation, exposure). CBT is structured, time-limited (typically 12–20 sessions) and has strong evidence for treating depression, anxiety, phobias and OCD.

Q8: How does pharmacotherapy (drug treatment) work for mental disorders?

Pharmacotherapy targets neurochemical imbalances underlying mental disorders. SSRIs (e.g. fluoxetine) increase serotonin availability for depression. Benzodiazepines (e.g. diazepam) enhance GABA for anxiety. Antipsychotics (e.g. chlorpromazine) block dopamine receptors for schizophrenia. Strengths: effective symptom relief, relatively quick onset. Limitations: side effects, treats symptoms not causes, risk of dependency (benzodiazepines), and does not address psychological or social contributing factors.

Q1: The statistical infrequency approach considers all statistically rare behaviours as indicators of mental disorder.

Answer: FALSE

The statistical infrequency approach defines abnormality as behaviour that is statistically rare. However, this is a limitation of the approach — many rare behaviours (e.g. genius-level intelligence, Olympic athletic ability) are not indicators of mental disorder. Rarity alone is insufficient to define abnormality.

Q2: The DSM-5 is published by the World Health Organisation and is the only classification system for mental disorders.

Answer: FALSE

The DSM-5 is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The World Health Organisation publishes the ICD (International Classification of Diseases), which is a separate and widely used classification system. Both systems classify mental disorders but differ in their criteria and structure.

Q3: Generalised anxiety disorder involves excessive worry about multiple areas of life for at least six months.

Answer: TRUE

GAD is characterised by persistent, excessive and difficult-to-control worry across multiple domains (health, work, relationships, finances) lasting at least six months. This pervasive, chronic nature distinguishes GAD from normal everyday worry.

Q4: Mowrer’s two-factor model explains that phobias are acquired through operant conditioning and maintained through classical conditioning.

Answer: FALSE

Mowrer’s two-factor model proposes the opposite: phobias are acquired through classical conditioning (a neutral stimulus becomes associated with fear) and maintained through operant conditioning (avoidance behaviour is negatively reinforced by anxiety reduction).

Q5: Beck’s negative cognitive triad proposes that depression involves negative views of the self, the world and the future.

Answer: TRUE

Beck’s cognitive triad describes three interconnected patterns of negative thinking in depression: negative views of oneself ("I am worthless"), the world ("everything is hostile") and the future ("nothing will improve"). These patterns maintain the depressive cycle.

Definitions of Abnormality

The four approaches to defining abnormality (statistical, social norms, failure to function, ideal mental health) each have strengths and limitations. TASC assessments require you to describe, apply and critically evaluate each approach, recognising that no single definition is sufficient.

Classification and the DSM-5

The DSM-5 is the primary classification system for mental disorders. Understanding its purpose, strengths (reliability, communication, research) and limitations (medicalisation, cultural bias, categorical approach) is essential for critical evaluation in TASC exams.

Specific Disorders: Anxiety and Depression

Detailed knowledge of GAD, specific phobias and major depressive disorder — including symptoms, DSM-5 criteria and biopsychosocial explanations — is core content. TASC assessments may ask you to identify a disorder from symptoms, explain its causes and recommend appropriate treatment.

Treatment Approaches

Comparing CBT, pharmacotherapy and combined approaches requires knowledge of mechanisms, evidence base, strengths and limitations. TASC examiners expect you to argue for the most appropriate treatment for a given disorder using research evidence, not personal opinion.

What does TCE Psychology Level 3 cover on abnormal psychology?

This topic covers definitions of abnormality (statistical, social, functional, ideal mental health), the DSM-5 classification system, anxiety disorders (generalised anxiety, phobias), major depressive disorder, the biopsychosocial model, treatment approaches (CBT, pharmacotherapy, psychodynamic therapy) and ethical issues in diagnosis and treatment.

Are these flashcards aligned to the TASC curriculum?

Yes — every flashcard and quiz question is mapped to the Tasmanian Assessment, Standards and Certification (TASC) Psychology Level 3 curriculum for the abnormal psychology topic.

How should I study mental health disorders for TCE exams?

Use the biopsychosocial model as your framework: for each disorder, identify biological, psychological and social contributing factors. Memorise DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for key disorders and compare treatment approaches using evidence from research studies.