Lecture 2 'Models of Psychopathology' Flashcards
According to the scientist-practitioner approach, what three things are psychopathology models used to explain?
- Origins of abnormal behaviour (aetiology)
- How to treat it
- How to prevent it
What are the five models of psychopathology?
- Biological
- Psychodynamic
- Humanistic / Existential
- Behavioural
- Cognitive
What is the pedigree method?
Biological model (genetics)
> family incidence method
> asks the question: how prevalent is the disorder in the family?
According to classic twin design studies,
MZ different DZ means what?
MZ = DZ + high concordance means what?
MZ = DZ + low concordance means what?
Same = genetic contribution High = shared environment Low = non-shared environment
What two ways do molecular genetics studies assist in understanding mental illness?
1 - genetic association studies (is one allele of a candidate gene seen more often in clinical people?)
- Genome wide association studies (assess common variation across genome)
What are the four neurotransmitter systems and what are their effects?
- Serotonin - regulates behaviour, mood and thought
- Gaba - reduces overall arousal
- Noradrenalin - controls basic bodily functions (e.g. respiration, alarm response)
- Dopamine - relays messages to control movements, mood and thought processes
Explain ALL the biological aetiology models HARD BONUS QUESTION
Dysfunction/damage of =
> > > Genetic:
- Pedigree method (family prevalence)
- Classic Twin studies
- Adoption studies
- Molecular genetics (gene association + genome association)
> > > Biochemistry:
1. neurotransmitters (serotonin, GABA, noradrenalin, dopamine)
> > > Neuroanatomy:
1. hindbrain, midbrain, forebrain
> > > Endocrine:
1. HYPAC axis (hyopthalamic-pituitary-adrenal-cortical)
In the US (2013-2014), the drug with the highest sales was what? What is the problem with this?
Antipsychotic drugs (and 8th was antidepressants)
> Many people are over-reliant on medication
What are the two biological treatment models?
- Electro-convulsive shock treatment
2. Pharmacotherapy
According to the WHO, ___% of people in third-world countries are on anti-psychotic medication; compared to ___% of people in developed countries
~15%
~60
According to the psychodynamic model, how might the ego be responsible for mental illness?
Ego uses a range of defence mechanisms to ward off unpleasant feelings (e.g. repression)
- may be in conflict with Id and Superego
According to the psychodynamic model, how might stages of Freud’s psychosexual development explain illness?
Oral - sucking behaviour (e.g. smoking)
Anal - obsessiveness, tidiness/untidiness
Phallic - self-obsession, envy
According to Freudian theory, how is a symptom formed? How is it treated?
Symptom Formation = Traumatic childhood experience > Defence mechanism > Symptoms
Symptom Removal = Free association > Recovery of material > Awareness and Interpretation
What five contributions did Psychodynamic theory provide in the study of abnormal behaviour?
- Impact of childhood experiences on later development
- The impact of the unconscious on behaviour
- The continuity of normality and abnormality
- Demystified mental illness
- Defence mechanisms
What are three limitations of the psychodynamic theory?
- Resistance to empirical investigation
- Emphasizes abnormality rather than psychological health
- Has not contributed to prevention or early intervention methods
According to the Humanistic model of psychopathology, humans are born with a natural inclination to what?
Be friendly, cooperative, constructive and driven to self-actualize
According to the Humanistic model, what causes abnormal behaviour?
Lack of a person’s basic need for unconditional positive regard (which leads to unconditional self-regard)
___________ processes are necessary to explain modelling
non-observable
What are behavioural techniques for classical, operant and modelling treatments?
Classical:
- systematic desensitization
- aversion therapy
- exposure therapy
Operant
- positive reinforcement
- extinction
- token economy
- behavioural activation
Modelling
- Social skills training
What are the benefits of the behavioural model?
+ Can be tested in lab
+ Empirical support
+ Useful techniques
What are the limitations of the behavioural model?
- no concrete evidence that improper conditioning causes abnormal behaviour
- too simplistic
- over-emphasis on learning/environment
- ignores cognition
What are Beck’s four automatic negative thoughts?
- Arbitrary Inference
- Overgeneralisation
- Dichotomous thinking
- Magnification and Minimization
What three things is Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) based on?
- Functional contextualism
- Relational Frame Theory
- Post-Skinner contextual theory of language + cognition
Summarise the cause of psychological disorder according to each of the six psychopathology models. HARD BONUS QUESTION
BIOMEDICAL
> Inherited or acquired brain disorders involving imbalance in neurotransmitters or damage to brain structures
PSYCHODYNAMIC
> Unconscious conflicts over impulses such as sex and aggression, originating in childhood
HUMANIST
> Lack of unconditional positive regard leads to self deception and a distorted view of one’s experiences leads to psychological dysfunction
BEHAVIOURAL
> Faulty learning
COGNITIVE
> Irrational or maladaptive thinking about one’s self, life events and the world
ACT
> Language and cognition interact with direct contingencies leading to inability to persist or change behaviour in the service of long-term valued ends. Comes from weak/unhelpful contextual control over language processes
