GCSE Psychology 9-1

Psychology 9-1 GCSE -  3.3.1 - Understand the nature and nurture debate, including: a) The term 'nature' -  Nature simply means the properties or characteristics of us that are determined since birth, rather than created through experience.  b) The term 'nurture' -  Nurture means the properties or characteristics we develop or learn through experience and how we are nurtured. c) the use of content, theories, and research drawn from psychological problems to explain the nature and nurture debate -  Our nature may provide natural limits as to how much we can process and learn, but we can, through nurture fulfil this capacity. So nature is the overall determining factor. Francis Galton investigated this through various studies and assessments. When he did a study using twins, even if the twins had very different nurture they both turned out extremely similar. 

Psychology 9-1 GCSE -  3.2.2 - Young (2007) Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with Internet Addicts: Treatment Outcomes and Implications: Aim -  To investigate the efficiency of CBT therapy with internet addicts. Procedures -  The study investigated 114 clients who suffered from internet addiction and they received CBT at the centre for online addiction. This employed a survey research design and outcome variables such as client motivation, online time management, improved social relationships, improved sexual functioning, engagement in offline activity and ability to abstain from problematic applications were evaluated on the 3rd, 8th and 12th sessions over a 6 month follow up. Results - The results suggested that Caucasian, middle aged males with at least a 4 year degree were most likely to suffer from some form of internet addiction. Conclusions -  Preliminary analysis indicated that most clients were able to manage their pres...

Psychology  9-1 GCSE -  3.2.1 - Caspi et al. (2003) Influence of Life Stress on Depression: Moderation by a Polymorphism in the 5-HTT Gene: Aims -  To investigate whether functional change in the 5HTT gene is linked to a higher or lower risk of depression in an individual. Method -  The researchers used an opportunity sample from a cohort of participants who were part of another longitudinal study. There were 847 participants of 26 years old and they were split into 3 groups, depending on the length of their alleles on their 5HTT transporter gene. Group 1 - Two short alleles, group 2 - one short and one long allele, group 3 - two long alleles. 1. Stressful life events occurring after the 21st birthday and before the 26th birthday were assessed using a life history calendar.  2. Post-year depression was assessed using the diagnostic interview schedule. 3. A correlation was tested between stressful life events and depression. Between the leng...

Psychology 9-1 GCSE -  3.1.8 - The use of drugs as a treatment, including strengths and weaknesses of each treatment: a) Depression -  Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI's) increase the levels of serotonin in the brain by preventing the re-uptake of it - Pros -  Less weight gain. Lower rates of withdrawal symptoms. Cons -  Higher rates of withdrawal and sexual problems. Higher rates of diarrhoea. Increased risk of stomach bleeding. Serotonin Norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRI's) block the re-uptake of two neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinphine, elevating the concentration in the nerve synapse to help elevate mood or treat other conditions - Pros -  Once a day dosing. More effective in difficult to treat depression. Approved to treat pain symptoms. Cons - May cause nausea and vomiting within the first week. May increase blood pressure. b) Addiction - ...

Psychology 9-1 GCSE -  3.1.7 - The use of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as a treatment, including strengths and weaknesses of each therapy: CBT replaced psychoanalysis as the best overall treatment for anxiety disorders such as OCD. People can be predisposed to developing these kinds of disorders if they have a natural tendency to overdramatacise the consequences of their actions. People give into doing these repetitive actions as a result of intrusive thoughts. The first part of CBT deals with the cognitive side of things which includes rationalising the irrational thoughts and fears that cause the intrusive thoughts. The second, behavioural part of the therapy includes techniques such as exposure therapy to help the patient get out of their behaviour. a) Depression - Strengths - Patients can continue to use techniques used during their CBT course after they've finished it. CBT will also deal with the causes of their behaviour, which mak...

Psychology 9-1 GCSE -  3.1.6 - The use of learning theory as an explanation of addiction, including strengths and weaknesses of the explanation -  According to learning theory, addiction is simply a learned behaviour. In other words people learn to engage in addictive behaviour according to well established principles. There are three fundamental types of learning that apply to humans and animals alike. 1) Learning by paired association (classical conditioning). 2) Learning from the consequences of behavioural choice (operant conditioning). 3) Social learning (observing others). With classical conditioning you form associations between things and environmental cues. For example, if you smoke after work, you will pair smoking with finishing your work, the time or even the place you go to smoke, these cues create powerful cravings. We can unlearn these associations by time or by replacing the activity the cue is associated with. Counter-conditioning is a special type of con...

Psychology 9-1 GCSE -  3.1.5 - the use of cognitive theory as an explanation of depression, including strengths and weaknesses of the explanation: Cognitive theories come into place where behaviorists fail to take into account thoughts and feelings. It is suggested depression results from maladaptive faulty or irrational cognition taking the form of distorted thoughts. These can be learnt socially or through lack of experiences that would facilitate the development of adaptive coping skills. Depressed people tend to view themselves, their environment and the future in negative ways. There are 3 main dysfunctional belief themes (or schemas) that dominate depressed peoples thinking. 1) I am defective or inadequate. 2) All of my experiences result id defects or failures. 3) The future is hopeless. Together these themes are described as the 'negative cognitive trio'. These beliefs also shape what someone pays attention to. People with depression have whats called 's...

Psychology 9-1 GCSE -  3.1.4 - the influence of genes as an explanation, including strengths and weaknesses of each explanation: a) Depression - People are not born with depression, but they can often be born with a raised susceptibility for it, this often runs in families. Being carried down through genes. Studies suggest that variations in many genes, each with a small effect combine and increase the risk of developing depression. The genes thought to be associated with depression have diverse functions in the brain. Some of these genes may control the production, transport and activity of chemicals called neurotransmitters, which relay chemical signals that allow nerve cells (neurones) to communicate with each other. This can result in a natural decrease of chemicals such as serotonin or endorphins being transmitted making you more susceptible to depression. b) Addiction -  Like depression, you can be made extremely susceptible to addiction by...

Psychology 9-1 GCSE -  3.1.3 how mental health problems affect individuals and society: Mental health issues impact everyone individually depending on the type of mental health issues and the individuals reaction to it. But all in all it has a very bad effect, this can be things like not being able to work because of issues like anxiety, depression and addiction. It also effects the individuals around them causing them distress. Mental health issues also have a large impact on society through things like social media or lowered in-person interaction.

Psychology 9-1 GCSE -  3.1.2 - how the incidence of mental health problems changes over time: When looking at the change of diagnosed mental health issues there are many factors you should consider. As well as a natural increase as population increases. Society causes an increase in this largely, with aspects such as economy, culture and lifestyle. You must also consider the growing openness and acceptance of mental health issues as a factor. Mental health issues have long been shunned upon but as of recent influential people have opened up about their struggles with it. Things like medication and therapy have become more commonplace along with schools educating about various mental health issues. Mental health issues having less of a stigma makes it easier and more acceptable for people to seek help for their issues.

Psychology 9-1 GCSE -  3.1.1 - Understand the two mental health problems unipolar depression and addiction, including: the symptoms and features according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) of: a) Depression -  Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. It requires long term treatment. Symptoms -  Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness. Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration. Sleep disturbances. Tiredness or lack of energy. Reduced or increased appetite. Slowed speaking, thinking or body movements. Frequent harmful thoughts and feelings of worthlessness or guilt. b) Addiction -  This can be the psychological and/or physical need for a stimulation or substance. Psychological symptoms -  Mood swings. In...