Chapter 2 vocab/reading Flashcards
Multidimensional integrative approach
approach to the study of psychopathology that holds psychological disorders are always the products of multiple interacting causal factors
genes
long deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecule, the basic physical unit of heredity that appears as a location on a chromosome
diathesis-stress model
Hypothesis that both an inherited tendency (a vulnerability) and specific stressful conditions are required to produce a disorder
vulnerability
susceptibility or tendency to develop a disorder
gene-environment correlation model
model that posits one’s genetic make-up may increase the probability that an individual with experience certain events (such as stressful relationships) that trigger genetic vulnerabilities to disorders)
epigenetics
the study of factors other than inherited DNA sequence, such as new learning or stress, that alter the phenotypic expression of genes
neuroscience
study of the nervous system & its role in behavior, thoughts & emotions
neuron
individual nerve cell responsible for transmitting information
synaptic cleft
space between nerve cells where chemical transmitters act to move impulses from one neuron to the next
neurotransmitters
chemical that crosses the synaptic cleft between nerve cells to transmit impulses from one neuron to the next. Relative excess or deficiency of neurotransmitters is involved in several psychological disorders
hormone
chemical messenger produced by the endocrine glands
brain circuts
neurotransmitter current or neural pathway in the brain
agonist
in neuroscience, a chemical substance that effectively increases the activity of a neurotransmitter by imitating its effects
antagonist
in neuroscience, a chemical substance that decreases or blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter
inverse agonist
in neuroscience, a chemical substance that produces effects opposite those of a particular neurotransmitter
reuptake
action by which a neurotransmitter is quickly drawn back into the discharging neuron after being released into a synaptic cleft
glutamate
amino acid neurotransmitter that excites many different neurons, leading to action
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
NT that reduces activity across the synaptic cleft and thus inhibits a range of behaviors & emotions, especially generalized anxiety.
serotonin
NT involved in processing of information and coordination of movement, as well as inhibition and restraint. It also assists in the regulation of eating, sexual & aggressive behaviors, all of which may be involved in different psychological disorders. Its interaction with dopamine is implicated in schizophrenia
Norepinephrine
NT active in the central & peripheral nervous system (PNS) controlling heart rate, blood pressure and respiration among other functions. Because of its role in the body’s alarm reaction it may also contribute generally & indirectly to panic attacks and other disorders. Also known as noradrenaline
dopamine
NT whose generalized function is to activate other neurotransmitters and to aid in exploratory and pleasure-seeking behaviors (thus balancing serotonin). A relative excess of dopamine is implicated in schizophrenia (although contradictory evidence suggests the connection is not simple), and its deficit is involved in Parkinson’s disease.
cognitive science
Field of study that examines how humans and other animals acquire, process store & retrieve information
learned helplessness theory of depression
Martin Selgman’s theory that people become anxious & depressed when they make an attribution that they have no control over the stress in their lives (whether or not they actually have control).
modeling
learning through observation & imitation of the behavior of other individuals and consequences of that behavior
prepared learning
ability adaptive for evolution, allowing certain associations to be learned more readily than others
implicit memory
condition of memory in which a person cannot recall past events despite acting in response to them.
flight or fight response
biological reaction to alarming stressors that musters the body’s resources (for example, blood flow and respiration) to resist or flee a threat
emotion
pattern of action elicited by an external event and a feeling state, accompanied by a characteristic physiological response
mood
enduring period of emotionality
affect
conscious, subjective aspect of an emotion that accompanies an action at a given time.
equifinality
Development psychopathology principle that a behavior or disorder may have several causes
Blood-injection-injury phobia
Behavioral influences Biological influences Emotional influences Social influences Developmental influences
Vasovagal syncope
Common cause of fainting. Distress > lowering heart rate, blood pressure, blood doesn’t reach brain - faint
Sinoaortic baroreflex
Compensated for sudden increase in blood pressure by lowering it
somatic nervous system
controls the muscles
autonomic nervous system
includes the sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system.
regulates the cardiovascular and endocrine systems and performs various other functions, including aiding digestion and regulating body temperature
endocrine system
includes a number of glands, each of which produces its own chemical messenger; called a hormone and releases it directly into the bloodstream
adrenal glands produce what hormone?
they produce epinephrine (also called adrenaline)
the thyroid produces what hormone?
thyroxine which facilitates energy metabolism and growth
in addition to salt-regulating hormones
the pituitary gland produces what hormone?
master gland that produces a variety of regulatory hormones
gonadal glands produce
sex hormones - estrogen and testosterone
endocrine system is closely related to what system?
immune system
endocrine system is implicated in a variety of disorders such as
depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and other disorders.
Some studies have found, for example, that depressed patients may respond better to an antidepressant med if it is administered in combination with a thyroid hormone
psychoneuroendocrinology
study of endocrine system and and how it relates to disorders
sympathetic nervous system
responsibilities
3 changes
primarily responsible for mobilizing the body during times of stress or danger by rapidly activating the organs and glands under its control.
heart beats faster, respiration increases, adrenal glands are stimulated – all 3 changes help mobilize us for action
parasympathetic system responsibilites
to balance the sympathetic system
takes over after the sympathetic nervous system has been active for awhile, normalizing our arousal and facilitating the storage of energy by helping the digestive process
HPA axis
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis
HPA axis functions
- hypothalamus connects to pituitary gland (which is the master or coordinator of the endocrine system)
- the pituitary gland in turn may stimulate the cortical part of the adrenal glands on top of the kidneys (adrenaline)
- surges of epinephrine energize us, arouse us, and get our bodies ready for threat or challenge. The cortical part of the adrenal glands also produces the stress hormone cortisol.
