etiology of abnormal psychology

Question 1

genetic influences and MDD

Answer 1

• risk rises if you have a parent or sibling with the disorder
• women more likely to have a predisposition to MDD

Question 2

neurotransmission and MDD

Answer 2

• transmission and reuptake of neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline) are the reason for MDD
• hence selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs, successful in treatment
• preventing breakdown of neurotransmitters, remain active in synaptic gap for longer
• no baseline level of serotonin to measure if a person is depressed
• take around 4 weeks to take effect, levels raised right away

Question 3

MDD

Answer 3

Major depressive disorder

Question 4

cognitive approach to MDD

Answer 4

• thoughts and beliefs shape our behaviour and emotions
• psychological distress is dependent on your personality shaped by experience
• beck (1967), maladaptive beliefs and attitudes, deviation from logical and realistic thinking

Question 5

cognitive model of depression concepts

Answer 5

• cognitive triad, negative view of oneself, world and future
  victim of circumstances
• schemas, patterns of maladaptive thoughts and beliefs
  see the world through a lens of negativity
• cognitive errors, faulty thinking, unrealistic representations of reality
  suffering, current hardships continue forever, hopeless

Question 6

schemas (cognitive MDD)

Answer 6

• maladaptive beliefs and attitudes that become active under stress or bad circumstances
• how we interpret the world around us and assign meaning to what happens to us

Question 7

cognitive errors/distortions

Answer 7

• inaccurate thoughts used to reinforce negative thinking/emotions
• sound rational and accurate but only make us feel bad about ourselves
• “I always fail when I do something new” = “I fail everything I try”
• dichotomous thinking, overgeneralization to their identity

Question 8

sociocultural factors of MDD

Answer 8

• role of social and cultural factors
• women and girls twice as likely, could be restriction of choices and devaluation due to gender, social pressure
• poverty, isolation

Question 9

diathesis stress model of etiology

Answer 9

• interaction of biological, cognitive and sociocultural factors responsible for the disorder
• may have a predisposition but other factors influence whether or not it is expressed

Question 10

prevalence rates gender

Answer 10

• more common among women
• peaks in adulthood