Chapter 2: An integrative approach to psychopathology Flashcards
1
Q
One-dimensional models
A
- the assumption that psychopathology is caused by physical abnormality or by conitioning
- attempts to trace the originas of behavior to a single cause
2
Q
Multidimensional model
A
- perspective on causality is systematic (world system)
- any influence contributing to psychological health cannot be considered out of context
- biology and behavior of the individual, cognitive, emotional, social and cultural environment affect each other
3
Q
What are genes?
A
very long molecular DNA at various locations on chromosomes within the cell nucleus
4
Q
The nature of genes - what do we knwo about chromosomes?
A
- each human has 46 chromosomes (23 pairs)
- in each pair one chromosome comes from the father and one from the mother
- Females have two X chromosomes
- Males have one X and one Y (from their father)
5
Q
What is a defective gene?
A
- something wrong in the ordering of the molecules (might lead to problems)
6
Q
Dominant gene vs. recessive gene
A
- One pair of genes that determines a particular trait.
- Must be paired with another recessive gene to influence a trait.
7
Q
Most of our development and most of our behavior, our personality, and intelligence are …
A
POLYGENIC: influenced by many genes, each contributing only a tiny effect, all of which, may be influenced by the environment.
8
Q
What is a genome?
A
an individual’s complete set of genes
20.000 - 25.000)
9
Q
What are two sophisticated procedures that allow to look for patterns of influence across many genes?
A
- Quantitative genetics
- Molecular genetics
10
Q
Quantitative genetics
A
- estimates the effects of genes in explaining individual differences (heritability)
- without necessarily telling us which genes are responsible for which effects
11
Q
Molecular genetics
A
- focuses on examining the actual structure and functioning of genes
- with increasingly advanced technologies (such as DNA microarrays)
12
Q
What did Eric Kandel (1983) propose?
A
- proposed that learning may cause changes in the genetic structure of cells,
- leading to alterations in the brain’s biochemistry and receptor numbers
- brain is plastic (can change in response to environmental influences)
13
Q
Psychopathology is explored in the context of gene-environment interactions through two models - which ones?
A
- Diasthesis-Stress model
- Reciprocal Gene-Environment model
14
Q
Diathesis-Stress Model (tells us what?)
A
- Individuals inherit tendencies (diatheses) from multiple genes, making them susceptible to developing certain traits or behaviors
- Tendencies or vulnerabilities only manifest when exposed to specific environmental stressors.
- Gene-environment interactions can lead to the development of mental disorders.
15
Q
What was the study from Caspi et al. (2003) about and what did they find?
A
- explored gene-environment interactions relation to depression
- Individuals with two copies of short allele (SS) were more suseptible to depression under stressful life events (childhood maltreatment)
- than those with the copies of the two long allele (LL)
16
Q
Reciprocal Gene-Environment Model (What does this model tell us?)
A
- Genetic endowment may increase the likelihood of experiencing stressful life events.
- Individuals with a genetic vulnerability to a disorder may exhibit certain personality traits or behaviors that lead them to create environmental risk factors triggering the genetic vulnerability.
- suggests that genes can influence the environment individuals create for themselves.
17
Q
What is neuroscience?
A
knowing how the nervous system and, especially, the brain work is central to any understading of our behavior, emotions, and cognitive processes.
18
Q
The human nervous system includes …
A
the central nervous system (CNS)
- consisting of the brain and the spinal cord,
and the peripheral nervous system (PNS)
- somatic nervous system (SNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS)
19
Q
What does the central nervous system (CNS) do?
A
- processes information from sense organs and responds accordingly
- sorting out relevant info from irrelvant stimuli and initiating appropritae reactions
20
Q
Neurons have a cell body with two types of branches (which two?)
A
- dendrites
- axons
21
Q
What do dendrites do?
A
receive chemical impulses from other nerve cells and then convert them into electrical impulses
22
Q
What do axons do?
A
- transmit electricalimpulses to other neurons
-forming connections to a highly complex network
23
Q
What is the synaptic cleft?
A
s small space between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another neuron.
24
Q
In which two parts can the brain be divided into?
A
- The brain stem (hinbrain and midbrain)
- The forebrain
25
What is the brain stem and what is the function of it?
- is the lower and more ancient part
- responsible for essential automatic functions like breating and sleeping
26
Which parts does the hinbrain contain?
- the medulla
- pons
- cerebellum
27
What is the function of the hindbrain?
- regulation various autonomic activities (breathing, the pumping action of the heart, and digestion)
- and motor coordination
28
What is the function of the midbrain?
- coordinates movement with sensory input
- includes parts of the reticular activation system (RAS) involved in arousal and wakefulness.
29
Of which parts does the forebrain consist?
- the thalamus
- the hypothalamus
- lymbic system
- basal ganglia
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What do the thalamus and the hypothalamus do?
they relay information between the forebrain and lower areas of brain stem, regulating behavior and emotion broadly.
31
What structures does the limbic system inlcude?
- the hippocampus
- cingulate gyrus
- septum
- amygdala
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Functions of the limbic system ...
- play a significant role in emotional experiences, learning and controlling impulses
- involved with the basic drives of sex, aggression, hunger and thirst
33
What structure does the basal ganglia include?
- the caudate
34
In what processes is the basal ganglia involved?
- involved in motor activity
- may be related to certain psychological disorders (like obsessive-compulsive disorder)
35
What is the largest part of he forebrain - and what are some functions of it?
- Cerebral cortex
- responsible for distinctly human qualities such as planning, reasoning and creativity
36
Each hemisphere has which four lobes?
1. Temporal (sound)
2. Parietal (Touch)
3. Occipital (Vision)
4. Frontal (thinking, reasoning, memory and social behavior)
37
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) consists of ...
- the somatic nervous system (SNS)
- the autonomic nervous system (ANS)
38
What does the somatic nervous system (SNS) do?
control voluntary movements
39
What does the autonomic nervous system (ANS) do?
- regulates the cardiovascular system
- the endocrine system
- digestion
- body tempural
(internal organs)
40
What does the endocrine system do?
- releases hormones directly into the bloodstream
- different glands producing specific hormones
- related to the immune system
41
What are agonists (1), antagonists (2) and 7inverse agonists (3)
1. substances that increase neurotrasnmitter activity
2. substances that decrease neurotransmitter activity
3. produce effects opposite to those produced by the neurotransmitter.
42
What is a reuptake?
after neurotrasmitter is released, it is quickly drawn back from the synaptic cleft into the same neuron.
43
What are the most relevant neurotrasmitters to psychopathology? (in to classes)
1. Monoamines - include norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine
2. Aminco acids - include GABA and glutamate
44
What is glutamate?
- an excitatory neurotransmitter that activates many neurons, leading to action
45
What is GABA?
an inhibitatory neurotrasmitter that regulates the transmission of information and action potentials.
46
What is learned helplessness (Martin Seligman)?
- poeple may expereince this phenomeneon when faced with uncontrollable stress
- leading to depression if they beliebe they have no control over their circumstances.
47
What is learned optimism (Martin Seligman)?
where people who maintain positive, upbeat attitudes even during stressful times tend to function better psychologically and physically
48
Modelling or observational learning (Albert Bandura)
1. Attention (noticing the models behavior)
2. Retention (Remembering the models behavior)
3. Reproduction (reproducing the observed behavior)
49
What is prepared learning?
- genetic endowments influence what we learn
- demonstrated by the seleective learning of fear/phobias.
50
What is implicit memory?
an individuals act is based on past expereinces that they can't consciously remember
51
What is the Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?
- focusing on faulty attributions and attitudes associated with learned helplessness and depression
- by Aaron T. Beck
52
What is the rational-emotive therapy?
- by Ellis
- focuses directly on the irrational beliefs Ellis thought were at the root of maladaptive feelings and behaviors.
53
What is Self-instructional training?
- Donald Meichenbaum
- worked on modifying what clients say to themselves about consequences of behavior
54
How does the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) work?
- involves examining the ongoing thinking processes of individuals who are anxious, depressed or stressed
- COGNITIVE RESTRUCTURING (unciver automatic negative thoughts and develop a different set of attitudes and attributions to restructure malaaptive schemas)
- additionally, specific BEHAVIORAL TASKS
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