Lecture 1 - theories Flashcards
Two-Factor Theory of Mowrer (1952, 1956)
This theory combines classical and operant conditioning to explain the development of anxiety disorders. Classical conditioning occurs when a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a fear response, while operant conditioning maintains the fear by reinforcing avoidance behaviors, which provide relief from anxiety
A person develops a phobia of dogs after being bitten by one (classical conditioning), and continues to avoid dogs to reduce anxiety (operant conditioning).
Cognitive Account of Major Depressive Disorder
This theory focuses on how dysfunctional schemas, activated by stress,
-> lead to negative cognitive biases
-> contributing to depression.
People with latent schemas formed by early negative experiences are vulnerable to stress, which activates these schemas, leading to distorted thinking and emotional distress.
A person who experienced rejection in childhood may interpret neutral social interactions as rejection, leading to depressive symptoms.
Neurotrophin Account of Major Depressive Disorder
Stressful experiences can lead to
-> low expression of neurotrophic factors
Reduced neurotrophin levels lead to
-> impaired neuronal functioning and cognitive deficits, which contribute to
-> the onset of depression.
Prolonged stress during early life could reduce brain plasticity, leading to difficulties in concentration and memory, common in depression.
Medical Model in Psychiatry
The medical model takes a reductionistic approach to understanding mental disorders by focusing primarily on biological factors, such as chemical imbalances, to explain and treat psychological conditions.
Depression is treated as a result of low serotonin levels, and antidepressants are prescribed to correct the chemical imbalance.
Incentive-Sensitization Theory of Addiction
This theory explains that in addiction, the “liking” of a substance evolves into
-> “wanting” and craving, driven by cues that increase the desire for the substance even if the user no longer finds it pleasurable.
The shift moves from positive reinforcement (pleasure) to negative reinforcement (relief from withdrawal symptoms).
A person addicted to alcohol may continue drinking even when they no longer enjoy it, because it helps alleviate the discomfort of withdrawal.
Comparison and difference between the cognitive and neurotrophic account for MDD
While both theories agree on the role of stress in triggering depression, the cognitive account emphasizes mental frameworks and thought processes, whereas the neurotrophin account highlights biological changes in brain function.
Shortcoming of the Medical Model in Psychiatry
The medical model often overlooks the influence of psychological, social, and cultural factors on mental health.
Additionally, it tends to pathologize normal reactions to adverse life circumstances, such as grief or stress, which may not always require medical intervention.
A person grieving the loss of a loved one may be diagnosed with depression and prescribed antidepressants, even though their emotional response may be a normal part of the grieving process rather than a biological disorder.
Incentive-sensitization theory
- liking
The Incentive-Sensitization Theory posits that in the early stages of substance use, individuals are driven by the pleasurable effects of the drug (positive reinforcement), a process referred to as “liking.”
Incentive-sensitization theory
- wanting
Over time, with repeated use, the brain’s reward system becomes hypersensitized to drug-related cues (e.g., seeing alcohol or a place associated with drinking), leading to a shift from “liking” to “wanting.” This “wanting” reflects a craving or compulsion to use the substance, even in the absence of pleasure. The individual continues to use the drug primarily to avoid the negative effects of withdrawal (negative reinforcement) rather than for its pleasurable effects
Difference between liking and wanting in providing treatment
Approaches focused solely on reducing withdrawal symptoms or providing alternatives to the pleasurable effects of substances may be insufficient. Treatment must also address the deep-seated cravings and compulsions that drive continued substance use, even when it is no longer pleasurable.
Behavioral therapies like cue exposure therapy, which help patients break the association between environmental cues and substance use, are essential in managing addiction.
somatic symptom diseases
- cultural difference example
In some cultures, mental health problems carry a strong stigma, so people may express psychological distress through physical symptoms, a phenomenon known as somatization. For instance, in cultures where mental illness is heavily stigmatized, individuals may be more likely to report headaches or stomach pains when they are actually experiencing depression or anxiety. This can lead to a misdiagnosis of somatic symptom disorder, rather than addressing the underlying psychological distress. This cultural context can influence both how symptoms are reported and how they are interpreted by clinicians.
