Ch 2: Current Paradigms in Psychopathology Flashcards
Paradigm
a conceptual framework or approach within which a scientist works; a set of basic assumptions
Genes
carriers of genetic information (DNA) which are passed from parent to child
Gene Expression
when proteins switch genes on and off
Polygenic
several genes, perhaps operating at different times during the course of development
Heritability
the extent to which variability in a particular behavior (or disorder) in a population can be accounted for by genetic factors
Shared Environment
things that members of a family have in common (ex. income level, child-rearing practices, parental marital status and quality)
Non-shared Environment
things believed to be distinct among members of a family (ex. relationships with friends, specific events unique to a person)
Behavior Genetics
the study of the degree to which genes and environmental factors influence behavior (NOT how genes or the environment influence behavior); often estimate the heritability of a mental illness, without providing info on how the genes work
Genotype
total genetic makeup of an individual; cannot be observed outwardly; shouldn’t be viewed as static, genes can be switched on and off
Phenotype
the totality of observable behavioral characteristics (ex. level of anxiety); product of an interaction between genotype and environment
Molecular Genetics
seeks to identify particular genes and their functions; recently focused on identifying differences between people in the sequence of their genes and in the structure of their genes
Alleles
different forms of the same genes; found at the same location, or locus, on a chromosome pair
Polymorphism
a difference in DNA sequence on a gene that occurred in a population
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)
a difference between people in a single nucleotide in the DNA sequence of a particular gene; nearly 10 million identified so far; studied in relation many disorders
Copy Number Variations (CNVs)
an abnormal copy of one or more sections of DNA within a gene; can be present in a single gene or multiple genes; additions or deletions; can be inherited or spontaneously arise
Gene-Environment Interaction
a given person’s sensitivity to an environmental event is influenced by genes
Serotonin Transporter Gener (5-HTT)
has polymorphism such that people can have long or short alleles of the protein; people who have short alleles and are maltreated more likely to develop depression; gene-environment interaction
Epigenetics
study of how the environment can alter gene expression or function
Reciprocal Gene-Environment Interaction
the ways that genes may promote certain kinds of environments; genes may predispose us to seek out certain environments that then increase our risk for developing a particular disorder
Neuroscience Paradigm
holds that mental disorders are linked to aberrant processes in the brain
Neuron
cells that make up the nervous system; made up of the cell body, several dendrites, one or more axons, and terminal buttons
Synapse
small gap between the terminal endings of the sending axon and the cell membrane of the receiving neuron
Neurotransmitters
chemicals that allow neurons to send a signal across the synapse to another neuron, causing the post-synaptic neuron to fire
Reuptake
the process of taking released neurotransmitter back into the presynaptic cell
Dopamine
neurotransmitter potentially involved in depression, mania, and schizophrenia
Serotonin
neurotransmitter potentially involved in depression, mania, and schizophrenia
Norepinephrine
neurotransmitter that communicates with the sympathetic nervous system; involved in producing states of high arousal; may be involved in anxiety disorders and stress related conditions
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
neurotransmitter that inhibits nerve impulses throughout most areas of the brain and may be involved in anxiety disorders
Second Messengers
mechanism to control the sensitivity of postsynaptic neurons; released when a cell has been firing more frequently, play a role in adjusting sensitivity of postsynaptic receptors to dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin
Agonist
a drug that stimulates a particular neurotransmitter’s receptors (ex. mimics serotonin causing the same effects)