TOPIC 3

Psychological problems: How

would psychological problems
affect you?

kfusco

Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Psychology

Page Number Content
2 Command Words
3 Core study – Caspi et al (2003)
6 Unipolar depression
7 Symptoms
8 Changes in depression over time
9 Twin studies
10 Diathesis stress and unipolar depression
11 Cognitive explanation of depression
12 CBT
13 Drug therapy
15 Addiction
16 Core study – Young (2007)
18 Symptoms of dependence disorder
19 Changes over time
20 Genetic explanation of addiction
22 Learning theory explanation of addiction and CBT
25 EXAM TIP
26 Drug therapy for addiction
28 Issues and Debates – Nature vs Nurture
32 Resources

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Core Study
You will need to know these in detail. The examiner can ask you questions about these that
could range from simple questions such as, What are the aims? to questions that need you to
show how these link with other areas such as, Assess the extent to which Caspi et al. (2003)
supports the role of nature in depression.
The full studies are available online at the addresses shown below each study for a more in depth
read.

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12869766

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 Unipolar depression

Is a mood disorder which causes period of feeling sad and lacking motivation to
do everyday activities:

Add descriptions of symptoms associated with unipolar depression

. .
.

Symptoms
of unipolar
depression

WHO suggest that 1 in 15 people will suffer from an episode of depression

every year and it affects twice as many females as males.

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Unipolar depression can be classed as mild, moderate or severe. Complete the
table with how many symptoms

Mil
d

Mo
der
ate

Sev
ere

Patterns of depression change over time and affect different individuals and different
sections of society in different ways?

Describe how patterns in depression have changed over time.

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What is the cost of depression to individuals and wider society

SELF SOCIETY

Genetics: you may need to have another look at the Caspi et al (2003) study here

What is the evidence from twin studies?

Make a spidergram of the findings.

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Stress and genes both play a role in depression. You will need to be able to evaluate
both sides of the argument to do this in the exams. Have a go here..

Genes

Stress

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 Cognitive theory as an explanation of depression

Behaviour can be explained by looking at how we think and process information.

Beck and Ellis created simple models that outlined the thinking process

Becks Cognitive Triad Ellis’s ABC Model

. . .

. .

. . . .

EQ: Describe the cognitive theory of depression (3 marks)

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 CBT – Cognitive behavioural therapy

A type of therapy that aims to help the patient change the way they think (cognition)
and act (behaviour)

Outline the process of CBT

Stage 1:

Stage 2:

Homework

How good is it?

Strengths

1………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Weaknesses

1……………………………………………………………………………………………………

2……………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Depression can also be treated with drugs.

Drugs work by affecting the neurotransmitters in the brain which are the chemical
messengers. Serotonin, Noradrenaline and Dopamine are all thought to be involved in
the development of depression.

What are these and what do they do?

SSRIs SNRIs

. .

. .
MAOIs TCAs

Frequently a combination of drug and CBT therapy is used. This has been shown to be
the most effective way of helping people with depression.

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EQ: Evaluate the use of treating depression with drugs? (6 marks) HINT start with
good points of drugs, bad points of drugs then compare to CBT!

EQ: What is REBT? (2 marks)

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EQ: What is meant by the ‘nature versus nurture’ debate? (3 marks)

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 . Addiction

Addiction .
Addiction

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Core Study
You will need to know these in detail. The examiner can ask you questions about these that
could range from simple questions such as, What was the conclusion? to questions that need
you to show how these link with other areas such as, Assess the extent to which the findings
of Young (2007) support the role of free will.
The full studies are available online at the addresses shown below each study for a more in depth
read.

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http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/cpb.2007.9971

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Addiction is a psychological problem where people feel the ‘have to’ do something
regularly to avoid negative feelings. If it has a physiological element such as with
smoking or drugs it is called a dependence disorder (ICD-10) or it can be behavioural
such as gambling or mobile phone use . It is also referred to as a dependence disorder
(ICD-10).

Fill this in with the main symptoms of dependence disorder

Symptoms
. of
dependence
disorder
.

EQ: Define the term withdrawal (2 marks)

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The behavioural symptoms of addition are more to do with thoughts and feelings where
as the ‘dependence’ element is linked to biological needs for equilibrium.

List the five symptoms of behavioural addiction.

1. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

2. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

3. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

4. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

5. ..............................................................................................................................................

The NHS suggest that as many as 2million people are suffering from some form of
addition, but as many don’t even realise they are addicted, the actual figure could be a
lot higher.

Addiction has changed over time and what was once

considered OK is now not OK at all. Previously only
substances that caused dependency were considered to
be ‘addictive’. Today there are many other types of
behavioural addictions that are being recognised as
problems.

Cheng and Yee-lam Li (2014) have researched internet

addiction.

Summarise what they found below.

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What is happening to the incidence rates for all types of addition?

Centre for Social Justice (2006) and the Guardian (2014) say

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What is the effect on the individual and society?

The NHS says

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DZ

Genetic explanation of

addiction
MZ

Addictions appear to run in families but because people in a family often share an
environment and a lifestyle it has been difficult to work out what role genes play in the
development of addiction

Dorit Carmelli et al. (1992) compared MZ and DZ twins and found

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Donald Goodwin et al. (1973) also found

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Remi Cadoret et al (1987) supported this by finding

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DDR2 gene has been shown to related to the development of addiction. The D2

receptor sites are responsible for what?

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What did Diana Martinez et al (2004) find out about D2 receptors?

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Add a description of these to make it clear

Strengths and weaknesses of the genetic explanation

+ Scientific evidence - Reductionist because

+ only some people - DDR2 A1 links to addiction and

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 Learning theory as an explanation of addiction

Behaviour is learned through

association and two things
become connected in your minds.

Look at the cartoon.

Explain how a positive experience

using alcohol could lead to
addiction (4 marks)

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Pavlov outlined classical conditioning explaining that this was a stimulus/response

relationship.

What does he mean by this? EQ: Using an example of addiction give an example of a

stimulus/response explanation of addiction. (6marks)

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In operant conditioning a positive consequence is said to arise a result of

reinforcement.

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Using the words ‘consequence’ and ‘reinforcement’ explain how these may make someone

more likely to repeat a behaviour. (2 marks)

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What are two strengths and two weaknesses of the learning theory explanation of

addiction. (6marks)

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CBT, based on Beck and Ellis’s models, can be a realistic treatment for people with

addiction. CBT for addition occurs in two key stages.

EQ: Explain Functional analysis and Skills Training (4 marks)

Functional analysis is

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Skills Training is

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Strengths and weaknesses of using CBT

+ strength is (HINT control)

Which was supported by Kimberly Young (2007) who found

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- weakness is (Hint motivation)

Which was supported by Jon Morgenstern and Richard Longabaugh (2000) who found

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The exam will be full of questions that have different demand and sometimes they

seem a bit daunting. DON’T PANIC!

Have a look at this one and then answer the easy question.

Remember that complex questions don’t always need complex answers!

Read it all through once and find the actual question

How many marks is it worth? What does the data show? Link it to the blurb

EQ:

A researcher is interested in whether cognitive behavioural therapy can be used to treat people with a
gambling addiction. The participants took part in a series of 12 sessions of CBT over a 12 week
period with one session per week. The results were compared to a group of gambling addicts who
were receiving no treatment over the same 12 weeks. The researchers asked participants to rate their
symptoms each week on a scale of 1-10 (1 = no symptoms of addiction; 10 = severe symptoms of
addiction). The researchers compared the participants’ ratings on weeks 1,6 and 12. The results are
shown in the table below.

Table: The mean average ratings of participants’ symptoms of addiction over a 12-week period

Week 1 Week 6 Week 12

CBT group 8.5 6.2 4.7
No treatment group 8.7 8.8 8.9

Explain what conclusions the researchers can make using the data presented (2 marks)

Goes down Stays about the same

So…. Now write 2 sentences that link all this together.

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See that wasn’t that hard was it!

Drug therapy as a treatment for addiction

Different types of addiction need different types of treatment so choosing a

treatment plan can be complex. Each treatment will depend of the type of
addiction and the severity of the symptoms.

For drug addiction:

Explain why treatment of drug addiction using drug therapy may be helpful.
Include a definition of these terms.

1. Detoxification

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2. Withdrawal

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3. Reduction of cravings

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4. Underlying mental health problems

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5. Behavioural addiction

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 _______________________________________________________

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EQ: Evaluate the use of drug therapy as a treatment for addiction (8 marks)

HINT! Include Suck Won Kim et al (2001); John Krystal et al (2001) contrast

and compare the benefits and difficulties and include other relevant

information. Make the response read like a mini essay and remember 10 minutes

tops!

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 Issues and Debates

What I have My biology, my

learned and genes,
experienced determine who
shapes who I I am
am

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EQ: Scott has been recently diagnosed with depression. His parents have both
been diagnosed with depression.

Assess the extent to which the role of nature or nurture could explain Scott’s
recent diagnosis? (12 marks)

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Resources for extra information or reading

3.2.1 Caspi et al. (2003) Influence of Life Stress on Depression: Moderation by a Polymorphism in the 5-
HTT Gene http://www.epigenomicslab.com/wpcontent/uploads/publications/Caspi%20A%20et%20al,
%20Influence%20of%20life%20st ress%20on%20depression,%20moder.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12869766

3.2.2 Young (2007) Cognitive Behavior Therapy with Internet Addicts: Treatment Outcomes and
Implications

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0ahUKE
wjTlffJq6PSAhXHIcAKHQ0ACf0QFggiMAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.researchgate.net%
2Ffile.PostFileLoader.html%3Fid%3D5675794c6225ffa70c8b458f%26assetKey%3DAS%2
53A308398501892096%25401450539340786&usg=AFQjCNHIoefKYgGaSVSRUDjoXOaVJ
HLIpg&bvm=bv.147448319,d.ZGg&cad=rja

http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/cpb.2007.9971

The symptoms and features according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)

http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/en/

http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/revision/en/

How the incidence of mental health problems changes over time

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/mentalheal th

http://content.digital.nhs.uk/mentalhealth

http://content.digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB21748

http://content.digital.nhs.uk/pubs/psychiatricmorbidity07

http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-healthproblems/statistics-and-facts-about-mental-
health/

http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases/mentalhealth/data-and-statistics

How mental health problems affect individuals and society

http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/mental-health-statistics-facts

https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/sites/files/kf/Paying-the-Price-the-cost-of-mental-healthcare-England-2026-
McCrone-Dhanasiri-Patel-Knapp-Lawton-Smith-Kings-Fund-May2008_0.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/215808/ dh_123993.pdf

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3292769/

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2016/depression-anxiety-treatment/en/

http://www.nta.nhs.uk/uploads/why-invest-2014-alcohol-and-drugs.pdf

The influence of genes as an explanation, including strengths and weaknesses of each explanation

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/ocr_gateway_pre_2011/ourselves/6_ gene_control1.shtml

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/genetics-epigenetics-addiction

http://www.apa.org/monitor/2008/06/genes-addict.aspx

http://www.apa.org/monitor/sep02/genes.aspx

https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-20/edition-4/slings-and-arrows-depressionand-life-events

The use of cognitive theory as an explanation of depression, including strengths and weaknesses of the
explanation

http://www.simplypsychology.org/depression.html#

http://www.personalityresearch.org/papers/allen.html

The use of learning theory as an explanation of addiction, including strengths and weaknesses of the
explanation

http://www.simplypsychology.org/classical-conditioning.html

http://www.simplypsychology.org/operant-conditioning.html

http://www.simplypsychology.org/bandura.html

http://www.jku.at/org/content/e54521/e54528/e54529/e178059/Bandura_SocialLearnin gTheory_ger.pdf

The use of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as a treatment, including strengths and weaknesses of
each therapy

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/depression.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cognitive-behavioural-therapy/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation/therapies/cognitivebehaviouraltherap y.aspx

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-researchbased-guide-third-
edition/evidence-based-approaches-to-drug-addictiontreatment/behavioral

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2013/06/addiction.aspx

The use of drugs as a treatment, including strengths and weaknesses of each treatment

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Antidepressant-drugs/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/drugs-andtreatments/antidepressants/#.WK2R6H8aKUk

http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/treatmentswellbeing/antidepressants.aspx

http://www.talktofrank.com/drug/methadone

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction

http://www.nta.nhs.uk/

http://www.psychlotron.org.uk

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http://www.psychteacher.co.uk

http://www.resourcd.com

http://www.simplypsychology.org/ – this website gives an overview of many of the key areas.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/ – this is an online magazine (with an option to subscribe) that brings

psychological theories into modern, contemporary issues.

https://play.google.com/store/search?q=psychology%20free%20books&c=books&hl=en – this site has a number

of free short books about key areas of psychology.

http://www.open.edu/openlearn/body-mind/psychology – the ‘OpenLearn’ programme offers freely accessible

resources provided by the Open University.

http://allpsych.com/ –a useful site with books, articles and summaries of some of the key concepts.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8dPuuaLjXtOPRKzVLY0jJY-uHOH9KVU6 – Psychology ‘Crash

Course’ is a YouTube channel that provides 40 short overviews of psychological issues.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008cy1j – ‘BBC Mind Changers’ is a series of radio episodes (that can also
be downloaded) about key psychologists, their work, and the development of psychology over time.

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