Psychological Problems | Edexcel GCSE Psychology (1PS0)

Psychological Problems

  • 92 questions
  • 6 subtopics
  • Paper 1
  • Paper 1

Psychological Problems is examined in Paper 1, every student.

It covers symptoms of depression and addiction, incidence and effects of mental health problems, explaining depression, explaining addiction, treating depression and addiction and key studies and the nature–nurture debate.

Sample questions from Psychological Problems

Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.

  1. Symptoms of depression and addiction

    How does depression differ from ordinary sadness?

    Show the answer
    Sadness is a short-lived reaction to a difficult event. Depression lasts for weeks or longer and disrupts everyday life.
  2. Symptoms of depression and addiction

    How does addiction affect a person's other interests?

    Show the answer
    A person with an addiction gives the substance higher priority than other activities and obligations. Hobbies, work and relationships can be neglected.
  3. Incidence and effects of mental health problems

    How can depression affect the individual?

    Show the answer
    Depression can make it hard to work, study or look after oneself. Depression can also damage relationships and physical health.
  4. Incidence and effects of mental health problems

    Why is it important not to link mental illness with violence?

    Show the answer
    The great majority of people with mental health problems are not violent. An unfair link adds to stigma and stops people seeking help.
  5. Explaining depression

    What is Beck's negative triad?

    Show the answer
    Beck's negative triad is a set of negative views about oneself, the world and the future. A person holding these views is likely to feel hopeless.
  6. Explaining depression

    Why is the genetic explanation described as nature?

    Show the answer
    The genetic explanation focuses on inherited biological factors. Depression is seen as coming from within the body.
  7. Explaining addiction

    What is the learning theory explanation of addiction?

    Show the answer
    Learning theory says addiction is learned through conditioning and the example of others. Behaviour that is rewarded is more likely to be repeated.
  8. Explaining addiction

    What is a strength of the learning theory of addiction?

    Show the answer
    The theory explains why cues trigger relapse and why addiction often starts with peers. The theory has also led to effective behavioural treatments.

The 6 subtopics

One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.

Subtopic What it covers Questions
Symptoms of depression and addiction Unipolar depression and dependence as the International Classification of Diseases describes them, severity, tolerance and withdrawal, and behavioural addiction. 15
Incidence and effects of mental health problems Why the recorded incidence of depression and addiction has changed, the internet and addiction, and the effects on individuals, families, workplaces and society, including stigma. 15
Explaining depression The genetic explanation and family and twin evidence, Beck's cognitive theory with the negative triad, negative schemas and cognitive errors, and nature and nurture. 15
Explaining addiction Genetic vulnerability, learning theory through positive and negative reinforcement, classical conditioning of cravings and social learning, and how genes and learning interact. 13
Treating depression and addiction Cognitive behavioural therapy for depression and for addiction, antidepressants, drug treatments for addiction and nicotine replacement, and the strengths, weaknesses and ethics of each. 16
Key studies and the nature–nurture debate Caspi's study of a serotonin transporter gene and stressful life events, Young's study of internet addiction, and the interactionist view of mental health. 18
Psychological Problems is 92 of the 891 questions in the guide.Get the guide, £7

How the guide is worked

Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.

  1. Step 1 · Closed book

    Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.

  2. Step 2 · Open book

    Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.

  3. Step 3 · Closed book again

    Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.

Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.

Nearby topics

All 11 topics Guide overview

Edexcel GCSE Psychology Active Recall Guide

Every topic, not just this one. 891 questions with their answers.

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