Evaluation points

Question 1

DFSN strengths

Answer 1

• separates desirable and undesirable characteristics, helps keep societies in order

Question 2

DFSN limitations

Answer 2

• difficulty in deciding what’s abnormal
• cultural relativism
• susceptible to abuse

Question 3

SI strengths

Answer 3

• objective measure

Question 4

SI limitations

Answer 4

• cultural relativism
• subjective cut off point
• doesn’t differentiate between rare and undesirable characteristic

Question 5

DFIMH strengths

Answer 5

• positive definition

Question 6

DFIMH limitations

Answer 6

• not realistic
• cannot treat mental health the same as physical health

Question 7

FFA limitations

Answer 7

• doesnt apply to all dysfunctional behaviours
• subjective definition
• cultural relativism

Question 8

SD limitations

Answer 8

❌ symptom substitution e.g fear becomes represented by something else
❌ cognitive factors may be more important than relaxation e.g. psychotherapies
❌ not appropriate to treat all phobias e.g. can’t treat evolutionary phobias as they aren’t learnt

Question 9

cognitive explanations strengths

Answer 9

• research support (depressed ppts made more logical errors
• useful applications (CBT is most effective)

Question 10

cognitive explanations limitations

Answer 10

• alternative explanations for depressions (low levels of serotonin in people with depression)
• some beliefs may seem irrational but not actually be (depressive realists)

Question 11

CBT strengths

Answer 11

• research support for effectiveness (90% success rate for REBT)
• long term usefulness(Babyak et al)

Question 12

CBT limitations

Answer 12

• doesn’t account for individual differences (isn’t suited with stressors who are realistic)
• relies on the competence of the therapist

Question 13

neural explanation strengths

Answer 13

• research support (brain scan shows association between OFC and OCD symptoms
• useful apps (SSRIs found to be effective)

Question 14

genetic explanation strengths

Answer 14

• research support from twin studies (68% in mz 31% in dz)

Question 15

biological approach limitations

Answer 15

• reductionist (only focuses on physiological processes)
• neurochemical imbalances may be a symptom not a cause of OCD (cannot establish cause and effect)

Question 16

drug therapy strengths

Answer 16

research support-ssris more effective than placebos
- easier and more cost effective

Question 17

drug therapy limitations

Answer 17

• not long term
• lots of side effects