Chapter 2: Contemporary Perspectives on Abnormal Behavior Flashcards
Neurons
Nerve cells that transmit signals or “messages” throughout the body
Dendrites
The root-like structures at the ends of neurons that receive messages from other neurons.
Axon
The part of a neuron along which nerve impulses travel.
Terminals
The small branching structures at the tips of axons.
Neurotransmitters
Transmit messages from one neuron to another
Synapse
The junction between one neuron and another
Receptor site
A part of a dendrite that is structured to receive a neurotransmitter.
Myelin Sheath
The insulating layer or protective coating of the axon that helps speed transmission of nerve cells.
Acetylcholine
- Control of muscle contractions and formation of memories
- Reduced levels found in patients with Alzheimer’s disease
Dopamine
- 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
Norepinephrine
- Mental processes involved in learning and memory
- Irregularities linked with mood disorders such as depression
Serotonin
- Regulation of mood states, hunger, and sleep
- Irregularities are implicated in depression and eating disorders
Central nervous system
The body’s master control unit
Spinal cord
Brain
Peripheral nervous system
The body’s link to the outside world
The autonomic nervous system
The somatic nervous system
Autonomic nervous system
Regulates involuntary bodily processes, including heart rate, respiration, digestion, and pupil contraction; operates automatically without conscious direction
Somatic nervous system
Carries sensory information from sensory organs to the central nervous system and relays motor (movement) commands to muscles; controls voluntary movements
Part of the autonomic nervous system
Sympathetic nervous system
Mobilizes bodily resources in response to threat by speeding up heart rate and respiration and drawing stored energy from bodily reserves
Part of the autonomic nervous system
Parasympathetic nervous system
Replenishes bodily resources by promoting digestion and bodily processes
Hindbrain
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.
Midbrain
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.
Forebrain
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.
Cerebral Cortex
Part of brain responsible for higher mental functions. Each hemisphere is divided into four lobes.
Four basic lobe structures in the cerebral cortex
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.
Social causation model
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.
Downward drift hypothesis
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.
Diathesis-stress model
A model that assumes that abnormal behavior problems involve the interaction of 1) a vulnerability or predisposition and 2) stressful life events or experiences
Examples of predisposition and environmental stressors
Diathesis
- Inherited predisposition to develop the disorder
Stress
- Prenatal trauma, childhood sexual or physical abuse, family conflict, significant life changes
The three major classes of psychotropic medications
Antianxiety drugs
Antipsychotic drugs
Antidepressants
Antianxiety drugs
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
Antipsychotic drugs
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
Antidepressants
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)
Which class of medications had a significant impact on decreasing long-term hospitalizations?
Antipsychotic drugs
Lithium
Used to treat mania and mood swings in people with bipolar disorder.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
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.
Prefrontal lobotomy
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.
What disorders are considered to be treated just as effectively with psychotherapy compared to drug therapy?
Some forms of psychotherapy may be as effective as drug therapy in treating anxiety disorders and depression.
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.
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.
Reticular activating system (RAS)
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.
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.
