ab psych 2 Flashcards by Irica Nicole Baguio

One dimensional model

• Linear causal model
• Single paradigm or conceptual approach
• Trace the origins of psychopathology to a single cause

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Multi dimensional model

• Interdisciplinary, integrative
• “System” of influences that cause
and maintain suffering
• View abnormal behavior as multiply
determined
• Biological influences
• Psychological influences
• Emotional influences
• Developmental influences

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GENETIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

• Genes

long deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules at various locations on chromosomes within the cell nucleus.

• Our genes seldom determine our physical development in any absolute way.
• A few rare disorders are influenced by genes (e.g., Huntington’s disease,
phenylketonuria/PKU)
• Except for identical twins, every person has a unique set of genes

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THE NATURE OF GENES
How many chromosomes do human beings have?

46 chromosomes (23 pairs)

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THE NATURE OF GENES
What is the role of the last pair of chromosomes?

sex chromosomes – determines sex (XX or XY)

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THE NATURE OF GENES
What is the structure of DNA?

DNA contains genes in its double helix structure

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What is a dominant gene?

A gene that expresses its trait even when paired with a recessive gene.

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What is a recessive gene?

A gene that only expresses its trait when paired with another identical (recessive) gene.

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What does “polygenic” mean in genetics?

A trait influenced by many genes, each contributing only a tiny effect, all of which, in turn, may be influenced by the environment (e.g., intelligence, psychiatric disorders)

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What is the genome?

The complete set of genes in an organism.

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What does quantitative genetics study?

sums up all the tiny effects across many genes without necessarily
telling us which genes are responsible for which effects

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What does molecular genetics study?

focuses on examining the actual structure of genes with increasingly
advanced technologies

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What are some new developments in the study of genes and behavior?

Scientists have identified preliminary genetic contributions to psychological disorders and related behaviors. Adverse life events can overwhelm genetic influences. Genetic factors contribute to all psychological disorders, but account for less than half of the explanation (e.g., schizophrenia).

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Who is Eric Kandel, and what did his research suggest about learning and genes?

Eric Kandel’s research showed that learning affects more than just behavior; it can also alter gene expression.

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How can the environment influence gene activity?

The environment can interact with inactive or dormant genes, causing them to become active, and may even occasionally “turn on” certain genes.

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What is brain plasticity?

the brain and its functions are subject to continual change in response
to the environment

Gene-environment interactions as they relate to psychopathology

diathesis-stress model
and reciprocal gene–environment model

DIATHESIS-STRESS MODEL

• Individuals inherit tendencies to express certain traits or behaviors, which may then be activated under conditions of stress
• Each inherited tendency is a diathesis (a condition that makes someone
susceptible to developing a disorder)
• This tendency is a vulnerability.
• When the right kind of life event (e.g., type of stressor) comes along, the disorder develops.

What did Caspi et al. (2003) study?

A group of 847 respondents over two decades, assessing their likelihood of developing major depressive disorder (MDD).

At 26, 17% has MDD

What gene did Caspi et al. (2003) investigate, and what does it do?

a gene that produces a substance called a chemical transporter that
affects the transmission of serotonin in the brain

What are the two types of alleles studied in the Caspi et al. (2003) study?

Short and long alleles.

According to Caspi et al. (2003), how did individuals with two long alleles (LL) cope with stress?

They were able to cope better with stress.

What is the key takeaway from the Caspi et al. (2003) study regarding the onset of depression?

neither genes nor life experiences
(environmental events) can solely explain the onset of a disorder such as depression. It takes a complex interaction of the two factors.

Who conducted a similar study to Caspi et al. (2003) with 589 adults who experienced hurricanes?

Kilpatrick et al. (2007)

THE GENE–ENVIRONMENT CORRELATION MODEL

• AKA reciprocal gene-environment correlation model • There is a complex web of inter-relationships between genes and environment • There is now some evidence that genetic endowment may increase the probability that an individual will experience stressful life events • E.g., development of depression - tend to seek out difficult relationships or other circumstances that lead to depression • E.g., divorce - if you and your spouse each have an identical twin, and both identical twins have been divorced, the chance that you will also divorce increases greatly. • The tendency to divorce is related to certain inherited traits (e.g., short temper)

What has research on genes and behavior overemphasized?

the extent of genetic influence on our personalities, our temperaments, and their contribution to the development of psychological disorders.

What was the focus of the Crabbe, Wahlsten, and Dudek (1999) study?

3 types of mouse – each type (e.g., Type A) are all genetically similar raised in similar conditions in three laboratories/universities If genes determine the behavior of the mice, then mice with virtually identical genetic makeup (type A) should have performed the same at all three sites on a series of tests but this did not happen

What was Robert Sapolsky's conclusion about genetic influences?

That genetic influences are a lot less powerful than previously thought.

What did cross-fostering research with rats demonstrate?

Rats born to stressed mothers but raised by calm mothers grew up to be more calm and supportive.

What did Tienari et al. (1994) find in their study on schizophrenia?

found that children whose parents had schizophrenia and who were demonstrated a tendency to develop psychiatric disorders (including schizophrenia) themselves only if they were adopted into dysfunctional families.

The environment cannot change our DNA, it can change the ____.

gene expression

How does the environment change gene expression?

By turning genes on or off through cellular material outside the genome (“epi,” as in the word epigenetics, means on or around) .

What is the implication of epigenetics for psychological disorders?

environmental manipulations, particularly early in life, may do much to override the genetically influenced tendency to develop undesirable behavioral and emotional reactions.