To what extent do cognitive factors influence abnormal behaviour?

Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.

The command term “to what extent” requires candidates to consider the contribution of cognitive factors that affect abnormal behaviour.

Cognitive factors may include, but are not limited to:

• cognitive approaches to treatment
• cognitive etiologies for specific disorders
• negative cognitive schemas influencing depression
• distorted weight-related schema influencing bulimia
• intrusive memories influencing panic reactions in patients with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

The focus of the response should be on the cognitive factors influencing abnormal behaviour. However, it is appropriate and useful for candidates to address other factors (such as biological factors and/or sociocultural factors) in order to respond to the command term “to what extent”.

The term “abnormal behaviour” can be interpreted by candidates differently – some candidates may focus on the extent to which cognitive factors influence only one type of abnormal behaviour (for example, a specific disorder) or address the term in a general manner by offering several examples of how some cognitive factors relate to several disorders. Both approaches are equally acceptable.

Candidates may consider a small number of cognitive factors in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may consider a larger number of cognitive or sociocultural factors in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.