Approach to Psychopathology - Chapter 3 Content

Question 1

What are quantitative and molecular genetics?

Answer 1

Quantitative is estimating the effects of genes in explaining differences within us and molecular focuses on examining the actual structure and function of the gene.

Question 2

What is the diathesis-stress model?

Answer 2

It is where environmental stress is added to a genetic predisposition and predicts a disorder (has a certain tipping point and the level of diathesis/genes varies) p.38

Question 3

What is a chemical transporter?

Answer 3

A gene that affects the transmission of serotonin in the brain.

Question 4

Describe what a gene-environment correlation model is.

Answer 4

Genetic vulnerability can predict disorders on its own but it can also be from a stressor (environment) being pushed into the situation. The stress MEDIATES. Examples are divorce probability, and depression and these focus on how genes can have an effect on the surroundings.

Question 5

Explain the nature vs nurture side of psychopathology.

Answer 5

The nature side of the argument is referring to how a child grows up and how the events that occur can change who they become also the nurture side is the genetic predispositions that can enhance your ability to get a disorder.

Question 6

What do the CNS and the PNS contain?

Answer 6

The Central contains the brain and spinal cord and the peripheral contains the somatic and autonomic (sympathetic and parasympathetic)

Question 7

What is the CNS?

Answer 7

This nervous system processes all info being received from our sense organs and reacts as see fit. The spinal cord is mostly just there to help send messages from the brain to the rest of the body.

Question 8

What are the main components of a neuron?

Answer 8

Dendrites, receptors, axon, synaptic cleft, neurotransmitters, cell body, myelin sheath

Question 9

https://ebooks.cenreader.com/#!/reader/f9dca522-0c22-4a46-b244-37208d6a97b0/page/a55c4661e3965397a87052eb4dece364

Answer 9

Look at all the brain images

Question 10

What is the reticular activating system?

Answer 10

This is part of the midbrain and is responsible for processes of arousal and tension when being asleep or awake.

Question 11

What is the limbic system?

Answer 11

The limbic system involves the hippocampus, septum, and amygdala, and this helps to regulate our emotions and able to learn how to control our impulses (basic drives of sec, hunger, thirst).

Question 12

What are the divisions of the peripheral nervous system?

Answer 12

Somatic (controlling muscles) and autonomic (regulates cardiovascular, and endocrine, aid digestions and regulates body temperature)

Auto is broken down into parasympathetic (rest and digest) and sympathetic (fight or flight).

Question 13

Explain the different types of agonists.

Answer 13

Agonist - increase neurotransmitter activity
Antagonist - decrease or block activity
Inverse agonist - produce opposite effect of the neurotransmitter being produced

Question 14

Explain what the process of reuptake is.

Answer 14

This is where a neurotransmitter is quickly drawn back into the neuron and is just left after being released into the synaptic cleft.

Question 15

Glutamate

Answer 15

Excitatory transmitter that turns on different neurons leading to action

Question 16

GABA

Answer 16

The inhibitory neurotransmitter that inhibits the transmission of info and action potentials. Binds to neuron receptor sites, to inhibit and reduce overall arousal.

Question 17

Serotonin

Answer 17

Involved in processing info and coordination of movements as well as inhibiting and restraints. It also relates to regulating eating, sexual and aggressive behaviours.

Question 18

Norepinephrine

Answer 18

This is active in the CNS and PNS controlling heart rate, and respiration. Its role may also contribute to panic attacks.

Question 19

Dopamine

Answer 19

The function is to activate other neurotransmitters and help in exploring and pleasurable behaviours. This is a switch to turn on various brain circuits.

Question 20

Dopamine

Answer 20

The function is to activate other neurotransmitters and help in exploring pleasurable behaviours. This is a switch to turn on various brain circuits.

Question 21

What is learned helplessness

Answer 21

Where a person believes that nothing else can be done and they have no control over their life.

Question 22

What is implicit memory?

Answer 22

A condition where a person cannot recall a past event even when they know they were there.

Question 23

Define implicit cognition.

Answer 23

Processes of the unconscious are difficult to measure because people cannot verbalize them, and they are not even aware. (Stroop effect)

Question 24

Explain what CBT is.

Answer 24

Treatment aimed to indetify and modify faulty processes of thought, attitudes, attributions and behaviours.

Question 25

What are emotions and moods?

Answer 25

A pattern of actions from an external event and a feeling state and a mood is a prolonged period of emotions.

Question 26

What is the principle of equifinality?

Answer 26

That behaviour or disorder may have more than one cause.

Question 27

What is the biopsychosocial model?

Answer 27

Showing that there are biological, psychological and social causes to the causation of disorders.

Question 28

What does polygenetic mean?

Answer 28

That there is more than one gene contributing.

Question 29

What is epigenetics?

Answer 29

How the gene expression can change but no genome is being changed in the process, for example with mice and having more caring mothers. The genes can be turned on/off by outside material and influenced by the environment to affect future generations.

Question 30

What is neuroplasticity?

Answer 30

How the nervous system can be reconstructed/changed in response to new stimuli or behaviours. Examples are how a growth mindset can change your structure and a fixed mindset makes it worse.