Biopsychosocial Model Flashcards
Nature and Nurture don’t work in isolation
genes and biological systems interact with life systems and mental processes
phenotype
the observed characteristics of an organism
genotype
the genes that code for the organism’s characteristics
allele
specific variant of a gene - two for each gene (one for each parent)
psychological factors are polygenic
meaning the phenotypic trait is influenced by multiple genes
diathesis stress model
this model shows that a person will inherit a risk factor that may initiate a mental illness with the interaction of specific life stressors
- an interaction with nature or nurture
gene environment correlation model
inheriting certain genes can increase the risk of experiencing negative life events
- For example, children with a genetic predisposition to behave in a self-deflating way can illicit hostile treatment from their peers
epigenetics
behavioural and environmental factors that affect the expression of genes/cellular material influencing traits
- negative habits can be genetically passed down
synapse
gap at the end of a neuron that allows signal to pass from one neuron to the next
synaptic cleft is the gap between two neuron where electrical signal is sent
reuptake
Neurotransmitters then disconnect from receptor in the synaptic cleft and go through terminal button
excitatory and inhibitory
neurotransmitters
some neurotransmitters are excitatory, increase neurons potential to fire, some are inhibitory, decrease neurons potential to fire
action potential
a neuron firing
- Activates neurotransmitters from terminal button to synaptic cleft
Nervous Systems
central nervous system
peripheral nervous system
- somatic nervous system
- autonomic nervous system
- sympathetic nervous system
- parasympathetic nervous system
- endocrine system
sympathetic nervous system
controls the fight or flight response during times of stress
parasympathetic nervous system
counteracts and calms down fight or flight responses
HPA Axis (main stress response system)
During stress the hypothalamus releases hormones to tell the pituitary gland to release hormones, gets adrenal glands to release hormones like cortisol.
This rapidly breakdown fat into sugar for immediate energy. Cortisol also shuts off stress response.
More cortisol receptors means faster stress responses. It details the perception of stress and the physiological reaction taking place.
physiological reactions before emotional reactions
James-Lange Theory
- when eliciting an emotional reaction, the body reacts first and the brain labels the physiological reactions afterwards
schema
a person’s conceptual understanding of a stimulus
self-schema
how you view yourself, an understanding of the knowledge that makes you you.
social factors on mental illness
A loss of sociality can result in a loss of stimulation accustomed by the brain
cross-sectional design
methodology to examine a characteristic by comparing individuals of different ages
longitudinal design
systematic study of changes in the same individual or group examined over time
sequential design
combination of cross-sectional design and longitudinal design
Beck’s Cognitive Model
With example
negatives views about the world –> negative views about the future –> negative views about oneself –>
tendency for depressed individuals to attend to sad faces and negative stimuli as opposed to positive ones
