Psychology
and
abnormality
Schizophrenic and Psychotic disorders
1
Exam style questions
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before you start writing. Organize your answers based on the criteria provided in the marking scheme to
ensure you cover all necessary points. After finishing your answers, make sure to read through them to check
for proper grammar and ensure that your responses align with the question. This review step is crucial for
clarity and accuracy.
You must answer on the answer booklet.
Q01 Lockie has recently been diagnosed with schizophrenia. He has been prescribed an atypical 2
antipsychotic. Suggest one reason Lockie’s doctor might have decided to prescribe an atypical
antipsychotic.
Lockie's doctor may have prescribed an atypical antipsychotic because these
drugs not only target dopamine receptors, like typical antipsychotics, but also
block serotonin receptors. This broader mechanism of action can help manage
both the positive symptoms (like hallucinations) and some negative
symptoms (like emotional flatness) of schizophrenia.
Additionally, atypical antipsychotics tend to have fewer severe side effects,
such as tardive dyskinesia, compared to typical antipsychotics, making
them a safer long-term option.
Q02 Lockie’s doctor also refers him to a cognitive-behavioural therapist. Suggest two ways Lockie and 4
his therapist might try to reduce his symptoms.
Challenging Delusional Beliefs: The therapist can use guided discovery and
Socratic questioning to help Lockie critically examine his delusional beliefs.
This involves asking probing questions and encouraging Lockie to present
evidence for his beliefs. Through this process, the therapist helps him see that
his beliefs may not be grounded in reality, gradually reducing the power of his
delusions.
Stress Management and Relapse Prevention: Lockie can learn stress
management techniques to cope with distressing symptoms. This might
involve identifying early warning signs of a relapse (prodromal symptoms) and
using relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises, to reduce stress. By
managing stress effectively, Lockie may be able to prevent a worsening of his
symptoms.
Q03 Explain what is meant by ‘electro-convulsive therapy’ (ECT) as a treatment for schizophrenia. 2
Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) involves passing small electrical currents
through the brain to trigger brief seizures under controlled conditions.
it is administered under general anaesthetic using muscle relaxants so the
2
person cannot be injured
It is used to treat severe schizophrenia,
especially when symptoms like catatonia or treatment resistance occur.
While effective for some, it can cause side effects like temporary memory
loss.
3
Q04 Suggest two weaknesses of the longitudinal method in the study by Sensky et al. (2000). 4
• Participants may drop out over the 9 months of therapy and 9 months of
follow-up
• Over time, participants may not follow the treatment programme exactly;
may take other medications; may develop other symptoms and/or illnesses.
Q05 A randomised controlled design was used by Sensky et al. 2
Suggest why a randomised controlled design was used.
Researchers do not allocate participants to conditions so there is no bias.
Instead participants are allocated randomly, by chance, so reducing
extraneous variables. Use of control group etc
Q06 Explain one strength and one weakness of using cognitive-behavioural therapy as an alternative 4
to drug treatments for schizophrenia.
Strengths:
• no drugs are taken
• the patient does not become addicted to drugs
• the patient plays a more active role in their own treatment
• a therapist is there to guide the patient through the treatment
Weaknesses:
• more effort is needed by the patient; it isn’t passive as is taking a drug
• the cause of schizophrenia may be biochemical and so a drug
treatment may be best
• a therapist is needed, which costs more and consumes more time than
does swallowing a pill
Q07 (a) Describe the treatment and management of schizophrenia. 8
Q07 (b) Evaluate the treatment and management of schizophrenia and delusional disorder, including a 10
discussion about the idiographic versus nomothetic approach.
Evaluation in your answer can include strengths, weaknesses and a discussion of issues and debates
