A clinical psychologist is asked to assess whether Ravi’s behaviour is abnormal. Ravi has recently begun washing his hands 40–50 times a day. This behaviour is rare in the general population.

Which definition of abnormality is the psychologist using if she classifies Ravi’s behaviour as abnormal mainly because it is rare?
Shade one box only.

A Deviation from ideal mental health
B Deviation from social/cultural norms
C Failure to function adequately
D Statistical infrequency [1 mark]

Which of the following is a behavioural characteristic of phobias?
Shade one box only.

A Selective attention to the phobic stimulus
B Irrational beliefs
C Avoidance of the phobic stimulus
D Persistent low mood [1 mark]

Which of the following is a cognitive characteristic of depression?
Shade one box only.

A Aggression towards others
B Disruption to sleep
C Anxiety
D Absolutist thinking [1 mark]

QUESTION 4
Which two of the following are emotional characteristics of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
Shade two boxes only.

A Guilt and disgust
B Compulsive checking
C Anxiety and distress
D Obsessive thoughts
E Insight into excessive anxiety [2 marks]

A therapist explains to a client that their fear of flying will be treated gradually. Together they will create a list of situations involving flying, from least to most frightening, and the client will learn relaxation techniques to use at each stage.

Which therapy is being used?
Shade one box only.

A Flooding
B Systematic desensitisation
C Cognitive restructuring
D Drug therapy [1 mark]

Which one of the following best describes how selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) work in the treatment of OCD?
Shade one box only.

A They increase the breakdown of serotonin in the synapse.
B They block dopamine receptors in the basal ganglia.
C They prevent the re-uptake of serotonin at the presynaptic neuron.
D They increase levels of adrenaline in the bloodstream. [1 mark]

Rosa often thinks, ‘I am useless’, ‘People are cruel’, and ‘My future will always be miserable’.

Which part of Beck’s negative triad is illustrated by Rosa’s thought ‘My future will always be miserable’?
Shade one box only.

A Negative view of the self
B Negative view of the world
C Negative view of the future
D Negative schema [1 mark]

Ali failed one driving test. He tells himself, ‘Because I failed once, I will never pass and I must be a terrible driver.’

According to Ellis’s ABC model, which component is Ali’s belief that he is a terrible driver?
Shade one box only.

A A – Activating event
B B – Belief
C C – Consequence
D D – Dispute [1 mark]

Some people inherit a gene that affects serotonin transmission in the brain. Research has shown that this gene is more common in people with OCD than in people without OCD.

Which explanation of OCD does this research support?
Shade one box only.

A Cognitive explanation
B Genetic explanation
C Behavioural explanation
D Psychodynamic explanation [1 mark]

What is meant by deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality? [2 marks]