Ch. 1: Causal Factors in Depression

Question 1

Biological

Answer 1

• People’s genetic inheritance and susceptibility toward developing depression
• Abnormal activity of neurotransmitters in brain

Question 2

Environmental

Answer 2

• Prior loss and rejection
• A significant decrease in pleasurable experiences may trigger depression
• Cultural norms may influence how people react to negative events

Question 3

Psychological

Answer 3

• A pessimistic thinking style
• Perfectionistic expectations
• Heightened sensitivity to loss or rejection which may lead people to overreact to setbacks

Question 4

What are the major themes of chapter 1?

Answer 4

• Psychology is empirical, meaning that it favours direct observation over pure institution
• Our experience of the world is subjective
• Behaviour is determined by multiple causal factors that can interact with one another
• Nature and nurture not only combine to shape our behaviour, but also influence each other
• Behaviour is a means of adapting to environmental demands
• Behaviour and mental processes are strongly affected by the cultural environment in which they develop