OxfordAQA International A Level Psychology
OxfordAQA International A Level Psychology 3.1.3 Psychopathology Exam Questions
Free OxfordAQA International A Level Psychology revision for 3.1.3 Psychopathology: what you need to know, common mistakes and exam-style questions with answers. Covers definitions of abnormality, characteristics of phobias and depression, the behavioural approach to phobias and the cognitive approach to depression.
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About OxfordAQA International A Level Psychology 3.1.3 Psychopathology
Psychopathology is the third section of Unit 1 on the OxfordAQA International AS Psychology course. You begin with four definitions of abnormality: deviation from social norms, failure to function adequately, statistical infrequency and deviation from ideal mental health. You then study the behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of phobias and depression. Phobias are explained and treated using the behavioural approach, with the two-process model, systematic desensitisation and flooding. Depression is explained and treated using the cognitive approach, with Beck's negative triad, Ellis's ABC model and cognitive behaviour therapy. Examiners commonly ask you to identify characteristics in a scenario and to evaluate explanations and treatments.
What you need to know
- Definitions of abnormality Deviation from social norms judges behaviour against what a society considers acceptable. Failure to function adequately means being unable to cope with everyday life. Statistical infrequency labels rare behaviour as abnormal. Deviation from ideal mental health (Jahoda) compares people against criteria such as self-actualisation and accurate perception of reality.
- Characteristics of phobias Behavioural: panic and avoidance. Emotional: anxiety and fear that is unreasonable. Cognitive: selective attention to the phobic stimulus and irrational beliefs.
- Characteristics of depression Behavioural: changes in activity, sleep and eating, and sometimes aggression. Emotional: low mood, anger and low self-esteem. Cognitive: poor concentration, focusing on the negative and absolutist thinking.
- Behavioural explanation of phobias Mowrer's two-process model: a phobia is acquired by classical conditioning, as with Little Albert (Watson and Rayner, 1920), and maintained by operant conditioning, because avoidance reduces anxiety and is negatively reinforced.
- Behavioural treatments Systematic desensitisation uses relaxation, an anxiety hierarchy and gradual exposure to replace fear with relaxation (counterconditioning). Flooding gives immediate, prolonged exposure to the feared stimulus until anxiety subsides (extinction).
- Cognitive approach to depression Beck's negative triad is a negative view of the self, the world and the future. Ellis's ABC model says an activating event leads to irrational beliefs, which cause emotional and behavioural consequences. CBT identifies and challenges irrational thoughts; Ellis's REBT uses disputing.
Common mistakes in 3.1.3 Psychopathology
- Describing classical conditioning only, without the operant part of the two-process model that explains why phobias persist.
- Saying statistical infrequency identifies all disorders. Some rare traits are desirable, such as a very high IQ, and some disorders, such as depression, are common.
- Confusing systematic desensitisation with flooding. SD is gradual with relaxation; flooding is immediate full exposure.
- Mixing up Beck's and Ellis's models. Beck's is the negative triad and schemas; Ellis's is the ABC model.
- Evaluating treatments without considering ethics, cost, speed or which patients they suit.
Try three 3.1.3 Psychopathology exam-style questions
1. Outline the two-process model as an explanation of phobias. (4 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
A phobia is acquired through classical conditioning: a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus that causes fear, becoming a conditioned stimulus that causes a conditioned fear response; it is maintained through operant conditioning: avoiding the stimulus reduces anxiety; this is negatively reinforcing, so avoidance continues and the phobia is not extinguished.
2. Explain one limitation of deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality. (3 marks)
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Social norms vary between cultures and over time; behaviour seen as abnormal in one culture may be normal in another; so the definition is culturally relative and could lead to misdiagnosis of people from other cultures or abuse of people who simply break norms.
3. Discuss cognitive behaviour therapy as a treatment for depression. (8 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
A strong answer would describe how CBT identifies irrational thoughts, challenges them (for example through disputing or testing beliefs) and sets homework; then evaluate with evidence of effectiveness, comparison with antidepressants, the need for patient motivation, possible limitations for severe depression, and the criticism that it may overemphasise thinking while ignoring life circumstances.
3.1.3 Psychopathology FAQs
What does OxfordAQA International A Level Psychology 3.1.3 Psychopathology cover?
It covers definitions of abnormality, characteristics of phobias and depression, the behavioural explanation and treatment of phobias and the cognitive explanation and treatment of depression.
Which unit is 3.1.3 Psychopathology examined in?
It is examined in Unit 1 (PS01), Introductory topics in psychology, as one of three compulsory sections alongside the other Unit 1 topics.
How do I tell phobia and depression characteristics apart in a scenario?
Sort the details into behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics. Avoidance and panic usually point to a phobia, while lasting low mood, poor concentration and changes in sleep or appetite point to depression.
