Chapter 2 - Biological paradigm

Question 1

Paradigm - their role

Answer 1

set of basic assumptions - about how to conceptualize/study a subject ( a model of reality)

• Dictates how work on a subject is to be conducted (Thomas Kuhn’s view, 1962)
○ However, injects biases and affects interpretation

Question 2

When was the biological paradigm dominant?

Answer 2

Dominant from late 1800s to middle 20th century, as psych was medical at 1st

Question 3

Behaviour genetics

Answer 3

• Study of individual differences in behaviour that are attributable in part to differential genetic makeup

Question 4

Phenotype

Answer 4

interaction between genotype and environment (though genotype is not fixed)

Question 5

Genotype

Answer 5

○ Genotype of a disorder can be inherited, but not the phenotype

Question 6

Diathesis

Answer 6

predisposition

Question 7

4 methods to study behaviour genetics

Answer 7

Family history method
Twin Method
Adoptees method
Shared vs nonshared environmental influence in siblings

Question 8

Family method - index cases/probands

Answer 8

study genetic predispositions among family members

○ Index cases / probands: individuals who have the disease investigated (Evaluation of their first degree relatives (50% shared genes) and second degree relatives (25%) is made)

Question 9

Twin method - concordance

Answer 9

Comparing mono and di zygotic twins
○ Search for disorder in the other twin
○ Concordance: when twins have similar diagnosis (+ frequent in MZ)

Epigenetics might make MZ not 100% genetically identical

Question 10

Equal environment assumption

Answer 10

assumption that environment factors are = influential in MZ/DZ pairs

Question 11

Adoptees method

Answer 11

studies adopted children
○ Removes concern for rearing by disabled parents

Child who has genetic predisposition form their parents; will be raised by other parents (or the other way around)
-We will see if they develop the disease anyways

Question 12

Polygenic

Answer 12

Cumulative effect of different genes causes a disorder

Question 13

Linkage analysis

Answer 13

Link marker genes with genes responsible for the disorder in order to locate them

Question 14

Molecular genetics

Answer 14

Tries to specify WHICH gene is involved in the appearance of the disorder

Question 15

Genetic polymorphism

Answer 15

variability that occurs among members of the species

Question 16

Gene-environment interactions

Answer 16

gene + environment = disease

More and more explored

Question 17

Constitutional liability

Answer 17

detrimental characteristics either innate or acquired so ealry and in such strength that it is functionnally similar to many genetic characteristics - confusing when studying genetics

Question 18

Temperament

Answer 18

differences in reactivity/self-regulation

• Easy child / Difficult child / Hard to warm up child
• Resilient ado / overcontrolling ado / under controlling ado

Constitutional liability

Question 19

Neurotransmitter-related causes

Answer 19

Suggest that a given disorder is cause by too little or too much of one transmitter
• Problems with creation of neurotransmitters, or reputake, are possible (amount of neurotransmitters)
• Receptors might also be at fault (too much, too easily excited) (receptor sensitivity)
Also synapse deactivation mechanisms might be at fault

Question 20

Hormonal imbalance causes for psychological disorder

Answer 20

Neuroendocrine system dysfunction (can make hormones to be unbalanced)

HPA axis and stress response

Baby blues /PP depression (depression = NOT a risk factor)

Question 21

Biological treatments

Answer 21

• Deep brain stimulation MIGHT be useful for depression, not sure
○ Neuroimaging is useful to see the efficacy of treatments

Drugs can significantlt impact the severity/course of certain mental disorders - sometimes psych intervention has a similar effect to drugs

Question 22

Brain dysfunction / neural plasticity

Answer 22

Subtle deficiencies of brain functions are implicated in many mental disorders

Neural plasticity: deficiencies are not necessarily impossible to manipulate - networks can rearrange themselves

Functions of the brain are an interesting avenue to explore (ex: concentration problems -> frontal lobe)

Question 23

Physical deprivation or disruption

Answer 23

Insufficient rest, inadequate diet, working too hard, etc

can interfere with a person’s equilibrium

Question 24

Evaluation of the biological paradigm

Answer 24

Helps improve treatments

Caution against reductionism

What constitutes a mental disorder still relies on subjective opinion

Not always due to neurological defects

• Psych intervention can sometimes have a similar effect on the biology as medication *

Question 25

Reductionism

Answer 25

View that the elements studied must be reduced to their simplest - WRONG

• Whole > sum of parts
• We need to understand abnormal psych in multiple levels

Question 26

Etiology

Answer 26

Cause

Question 27

Necessary cause

Answer 27

Something HAS to occur for the disorder to be developed in the person

Complex trauma = + than 1 type of trauma (ex: physical + sexual)

Question 28

Sufficient cause

Answer 28

Person can experience something that will lead to the disorder, but not everyone who experienced this will develop the disorder, and not everyone with the disorder experienced this

Question 29

Contributory cause

Answer 29

contributes to possibility of having the disorder (ex: genetic predisposition coupled with stressor)

Question 30

Proximal risk factor

Answer 30

something that triggers the disorder right away (proximity in time)

Question 31

Distal risk factor

Answer 31

triggers the disorder after a while (more distance in time)

Question 32

Reinforcing risk factor (vs contributory)

Answer 32

Smoking pot increases psychosis (“keeps you there”)

*While contributory cause is a one-time thing

Question 33

Shared vs nonshared environmental influence

Answer 33

What is the influence of the environment on the development of illnesses in siblings? study of the difference

Question 34

Constitutional liability

Answer 34

Detriemental characteristic either innate or acquired so early - often prenatally - and in such great strength that it is functionally similar to many genetic characteristics
Makes it hard to determine if the trait is a characteristic of a symptom of illness and if the trait influenced the disorder or the other way around

Question 35

Occipital lobe function

Answer 35

Vision

Question 36

Temporal lobe function

Answer 36

Discrimination of sounds

Question 37

Frontal lobe function

Answer 37

Reasoning

Other higher metnal processes (regulation of fine voluntary movement)

Question 38

Left hemisphere function

Answer 38

Speech
Analytical thinking in right-handed ppl
2 hemispheres constantly communicate with each other

Question 39

Right hemisphere function

Answer 39

Discerns spatial relations and patterns
Involved in emotion/intuition
2 hemispheres constantly communicate with each other

Question 40

Impact of biological viewpoint

Answer 40

Drugs can dramatically impact the severity/course of a mental illness
Psych causes can be distinguished from bio causes only prior to their entry into the CNS

Question 41

Other names for this paradigm

Answer 41

Medical or disease model

Question 42

Possible biological problems/causes for ADHD

Answer 42

• Problems in fronto striatal circuitry possible
  
  • Delays in cortical maturation (lateral prefrontal cortex)
  • Dopamine/noradrenaline systems problems
  • And others… Lack of biological frameworks for ADHD study is criticized