Treating Psychological Problems

    OCR
    GCSE

    The study of treating psychological problems necessitates a critical evaluation of diverse therapeutic modalities, ranging from the biomedical model's reliance on pharmacotherapy and psychosurgery to psychological interventions including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Systematic Desensitisation. Candidates must analyse the theoretical underpinnings of these treatments, linking etiology to intervention. Assessment focuses heavily on the comparative efficacy, appropriateness, and ethical implications of treatments, requiring students to cite specific clinical evidence (e.g., randomised control trials) and evaluate the shift from custodial institutionalisation to community-based care and modern integrative approaches.

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    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    3
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Award marks for precise use of neurochemical terminology (e.g., 'blocking D2 dopamine receptors' or 'inhibiting serotonin reuptake') rather than generic 'chemical imbalance' statements.
    • Credit responses that explicitly link the ABC model (Activating event, Belief, Consequence) to the disputing of irrational thoughts when describing CBT.
    • Evaluation (AO3) must go beyond cost/time; credit analysis of side effects (tardive dyskinesia), relapse rates, or ethical issues (patient consent in token economies).
    • For AO2 application, candidates must select a treatment based on the specific symptoms in the scenario (e.g., hallucinations warrant antipsychotics; negative schemas warrant CBT) and justify the choice.

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You correctly identified the drug class, but you must explain the synaptic mechanism (e.g., reuptake inhibition) to gain full AO1 marks."
    • "Your evaluation relies on generic statements like 'it is cheap'; provide specific evidence or comparison to alternative treatments to improve."
    • "When citing Paul and Lentz, distinguish clearly between the specific benefits of the token economy group versus the control group."
    • "Link your treatment choice directly to the scenario's symptoms—explain *why* CBT addresses the specific negative thoughts mentioned."

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for precise use of neurochemical terminology (e.g., 'blocking D2 dopamine receptors' or 'inhibiting serotonin reuptake') rather than generic 'chemical imbalance' statements.
    • Credit responses that explicitly link the ABC model (Activating event, Belief, Consequence) to the disputing of irrational thoughts when describing CBT.
    • Evaluation (AO3) must go beyond cost/time; credit analysis of side effects (tardive dyskinesia), relapse rates, or ethical issues (patient consent in token economies).
    • For AO2 application, candidates must select a treatment based on the specific symptoms in the scenario (e.g., hallucinations warrant antipsychotics; negative schemas warrant CBT) and justify the choice.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡When evaluating drug therapy, structure your argument using the 'efficacy vs. ethics' contrast to ensure AO3 depth.
    • 💡Memorize the specific statistical outcomes for Wiles et al. (46% improvement in the intervention group) to validate AO1 descriptions.
    • 💡In scenario questions, explicitly quote the symptoms provided in the stem (e.g., 'hearing voices') to anchor your treatment justification.
    • 💡Do not just describe the study procedures; explicitly state the implications of the findings for the treatment of the disorder.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Conflating the neurotransmitters involved: incorrectly stating that antipsychotics treat serotonin levels or antidepressants block dopamine.
    • Describing the aim of Wiles et al. as 'curing depression' rather than specifically investigating the effectiveness of CBT as an adjunct to medication for treatment-resistant patients.
    • Asserting that psychological treatments have 'no side effects' without acknowledging the potential for psychological distress or the 'blame' implied by cognitive therapies.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Identify
    Describe
    Explain
    Discuss
    Evaluate
    Compare

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