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
