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Abnormal Psychology > Chapter 2: Contemporary Perspectives on Abnormal Behavior > Flashcards

Chapter 2: Contemporary Perspectives on Abnormal Behavior Flashcards

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1
Q

Neurons

A

Nerve cells that transmit signals or “messages” throughout the body

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2
Q

Dendrites

A

The root-like structures at the ends of neurons that receive messages from other neurons.

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3
Q

Axon

A

The part of a neuron along which nerve impulses travel.

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4
Q

Terminals

A

The small branching structures at the tips of axons.

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5
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Transmit messages from one neuron to another

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6
Q

Synapse

A

The junction between one neuron and another

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7
Q

Receptor site

A

A part of a dendrite that is structured to receive a neurotransmitter.

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8
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

The insulating layer or protective coating of the axon that helps speed transmission of nerve cells.

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9
Q

Acetylcholine

A
  • Control of muscle contractions and formation of memories

- Reduced levels found in patients with Alzheimer’s disease

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10
Q

Dopamine

A
  • Regulation of muscle contractions and mental processes involving learning, memory, and emotions
  • Irregularities in dopamine transmission in the brain may be involved in the development of schizophrenia
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11
Q

Norepinephrine

A
  • Mental processes involved in learning and memory

- Irregularities linked with mood disorders such as depression

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12
Q

Serotonin

A
  • Regulation of mood states, hunger, and sleep

- Irregularities are implicated in depression and eating disorders

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13
Q

Central nervous system

A

The body’s master control unit

Spinal cord

Brain

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14
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

The body’s link to the outside world

The autonomic nervous system

The somatic nervous system

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15
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

Regulates involuntary bodily processes, including heart rate, respiration, digestion, and pupil contraction; operates automatically without conscious direction

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16
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

Carries sensory information from sensory organs to the central nervous system and relays motor (movement) commands to muscles; controls voluntary movements

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17
Q

Part of the autonomic nervous system

Sympathetic nervous system

A

Mobilizes bodily resources in response to threat by speeding up heart rate and respiration and drawing stored energy from bodily reserves

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18
Q

Part of the autonomic nervous system

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

Replenishes bodily resources by promoting digestion and bodily processes

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19
Q

Hindbrain

A

Medulla – An area of the hindbrain involved in regulation of heartbeat, respiration, and blood pressure.

Pons – A structure in the hindbrain involved in body movements, attention, sleep, and respiration.

Cerebellum – A structure in the hindbrain involved in motor behavior, coordination, and balance.

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20
Q

Midbrain

A

Midbrain – Lies above the hindbrain, and has nerve pathways linking the hindbrain to forebrain.

  • Reticular activating system (RAS) – Starts in hindbrain, rises through midbrain and into lower part of forebrain.
  • RAS is a brain structure involved in processes of attention, sleep, and arousal.
21
Q

Forebrain

A

Thalamus – Relays sensory information to the cortex and involved in processes related to sleep and attention.

Hypothalamus – Regulates body temperature, emotion, and motivation.

Limbic system – Forebrain structures involved in emotional processing, memory, and basic drives such as hunger, thirst, and aggression.

Basal ganglia – Neurons at the base of the forebrain involved in regulating postural movements and coordination.

Cerebrum – Consists of the two cerebral hemispheres, responsible for higher mental functions. Surface area called cerebral cortex.

22
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

Part of brain responsible for higher mental functions. Each hemisphere is divided into four lobes.

23
Q

Four basic lobe structures in the cerebral cortex

A

Frontal – Speaking, muscle movements, planning, organization (often called executive functioning skills), and attention.

Parietal – Receives sensory input (auditory and visual) such as touch, temperature, and pain.
- Role in motor coordination (can usually assess through examining handwriting or replicating an image with puzzle pieces).

Occipital – Receives visual information (what we see through our eyes).

Temporal – Receives auditory information, damage could impact memory capacities.

24
Q

Social causation model

A

A belief that social stressors, such as poverty, account for the increased risk of severe psychological disorders among people of lower socioeconomic status relative to those of higher socioeconomic levels.

Example: Living in persistent poverty = Greater level of social stress = Greater risk of psychological disorders.

25
Q

Downward drift hypothesis

A

A theory that attempts to explain the link between low socioeconomic status and behavior problems by suggesting that problem behaviors lead people to drift downward in social status.

Example: Alcohol/illegal drug use = movement towards low SES = more significant behavior problems.

26
Q

Diathesis-stress model

A

A model that assumes that abnormal behavior problems involve the interaction of 1) a vulnerability or predisposition and 2) stressful life events or experiences

27
Q

Examples of predisposition and environmental stressors

A

Diathesis
- Inherited predisposition to develop the disorder

Stress
- Prenatal trauma, childhood sexual or physical abuse, family conflict, significant life changes

28
Q

The three major classes of psychotropic medications

A

Antianxiety drugs
Antipsychotic drugs
Antidepressants

29
Q

Antianxiety drugs

A

Drugs that combat anxiety and reduce states of muscle tension by reducing central nervous system activity.

Clinical uses
anxiety and insomnia

Possible side effects
drowsiness, fatigue, impaired coordination, nausea

30
Q

Antipsychotic drugs

A

Antipsychotic drugs (also called neuroleptics): used to treat schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders.

Clinical uses
schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders

Possible side effects
movement disorders (ex: tardive dyskinesia), drowsiness, restlessness, dry mouth, blurred vision, muscle rigidity
31
Q

Antidepressants

A 
Four major classes of antidepressants:
tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
monoamine oxidase (MOA)
selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

Clinical uses
depression and other psychological disorders (ex: panic disorder, social phobia, OCD, bulimia nervosa)

32
Q

Which class of medications had a significant impact on decreasing long-term hospitalizations?

A

Antipsychotic drugs

33
Q

Lithium

A

Used to treat mania and mood swings in people with bipolar disorder.

34
Q

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

A

People with major depression show significant improvement following ECT.

Generally considered a treatment of last resort.

Electric shock is sent through the patient’s brain, sufficient to induce convulsions.

35
Q

Prefrontal lobotomy

A

Although no longer performed today, the most common form was the prefrontal lobotomy.

Involved surgically severing nerve pathways linking the thalamus to the prefrontal lobes of the brain.

36
Q

What disorders are considered to be treated just as effectively with psychotherapy compared to drug therapy?

A

Some forms of psychotherapy may be as effective as drug therapy in treating anxiety disorders and depression.

37
Q

Frontal

A

Speaking, muscle movements, planning, organization (often called executive functioning skills), and attention.

38
Q

Parietal

A

Receives sensory input (auditory and visual) such as touch, temperature, and pain.
- Role in motor coordination (can usually assess through examining handwriting or replicating an image with puzzle pieces).

39
Q

Occipital

A

Receives visual information (what we see through our eyes).

40
Q

Temporal

A

Receives auditory information, damage could impact memory capacities.

41
Q

Medulla

A

An area of the hindbrain involved in regulation of heartbeat, respiration, and blood pressure.

42
Q

Pons

A

A structure in the hindbrain involved in body movements, attention, sleep, and respiration.

43
Q

Cerebellum

A

A structure in the hindbrain involved in motor behavior, coordination, and balance.

44
Q

Reticular activating system (RAS)

A

Reticular activating system (RAS) – Starts in hindbrain, rises through midbrain and into lower part of forebrain.

RAS is a brain structure involved in processes of attention, sleep, and arousal.

45
Q

Thalamus

A

Relays sensory information to the cortex and involved in processes related to sleep and attention.

46
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Regulates body temperature, emotion, and motivation.

47
Q

Limbic system

A

Forebrain structures involved in emotional processing, memory, and basic drives such as hunger, thirst, and aggression.

48
Q

Basal ganglia

A

Neurons at the base of the forebrain involved in regulating postural movements and coordination.

49
Q

Cerebrum

A

Consists of the two cerebral hemispheres, responsible for higher mental functions. Surface area called cerebral cortex.

Abnormal Psychology (15 decks)

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