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EnglandPsychology

Psychological problems

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What causes addiction, and how can it be treated?

Addiction: clinical characteristics, the biological explanation (genes and the role of dopamine) and the psychological explanation (learning through reinforcement), and treatments including drug therapy and behavioural approaches such as aversion therapy.
A focused answer to the OCR GCSE Psychology J203 psychological problems topic on addiction, covering its clinical characteristics, the biological explanation (genes and dopamine) and the psychological explanation (learning through reinforcement), and treatments including drug therapy and aversion therapy.
10 min answer →

What do the psychological problems core studies show about the causes of depression?

The psychological problems core studies: the classic study Caspi et al. (2003) on the 5-HTT gene and the influence of life stress on depression, and the contemporary study Tandoc et al. (2015) on Facebook use, envy and depression.
A focused answer to the OCR GCSE Psychology J203 psychological problems core studies, covering the classic study Caspi et al. (2003) on the 5-HTT gene and life stress and depression and the contemporary study Tandoc et al. (2015) on Facebook use, envy and depression, including the aim, method, results, conclusions and evaluation of each.
11 min answer →

What makes behaviour 'abnormal', and how common are mental health problems?

Defining mental health and abnormality, the increasing incidence of mental health problems, the effects of mental health problems on individuals and society, and changing attitudes towards mental health.
A focused answer to the OCR GCSE Psychology J203 psychological problems topic on defining mental health, covering definitions of abnormality, the rising incidence of mental health problems, the effects on individuals and society, and how attitudes towards mental health have changed.
10 min answer →

What causes depression, and how can it be treated biologically and psychologically?

Depression: clinical characteristics, the biological explanation (genes and neurotransmitters such as serotonin) and the psychological explanation (cognitive, negative thinking), and treatments including antidepressants and cognitive behavioural therapy.
A focused answer to the OCR GCSE Psychology J203 psychological problems topic on depression, covering its clinical characteristics, the biological explanation (genes and serotonin) and the psychological (cognitive) explanation, and treatments including antidepressants and cognitive behavioural therapy.
11 min answer →

What effects do mental health problems have on the individual and society, and how can we reduce their impact?

The effects of mental health problems on individuals (relationships, work, physical health) and on society (the economy and healthcare), the role of stigma, and ways of supporting mental health and reducing its impact.
A focused answer to the OCR GCSE Psychology J203 psychological problems topic on the effects of mental health problems, covering the impact on individuals (relationships, work, physical health) and on society (the economy and healthcare), the role of stigma, and ways of supporting mental health and reducing its impact.
9 min answer →