Models of Psychopathology Flashcards
model
- paradigm or theoretical perspective
- describes phenomenon that cannot be directly observed
- set of assumptions guiding systematic way of viewing/thinking/explaining
- guides definition/examination/treatment of m.d.
the major models of psychopathology are ____
- biological
- cognitive-behavioural
- psychoanalytic/psychodynamic
- humanistic
1-dimensional models of psychopathology
- 1 dimensional models are overly simplistic
- each model has bias
- neglect possibility of various factors
- fail to recognize reciprocal interactions of factors
- set up dichotomy of “either or”
biopsychosocial model limitations
- does not focus on how these factors interact to produce illness
- neglects cultural influences
- neglects sociocultural influences
multipath model
- holistic perspective
- interactions within and between dimensions
- same factors may cause different disorders
multipath model assumptions
- not one theoretical perspective is adequate to explain the development of disorders
- multiple pathways contribute to the dev of any single disorder
- not all dimensions contribute equally
- this model is integrative and interactive
biological dimension assumptions
- our characteristics = embedded in genes
- thoughts/emotions/behaviours involve bio processes occurring in the brain
- many mental processes associated w/ inherited bio vulnerability
- medications and bio interventions influence bio processes
According to the biological model, do changes in why we think, feel, and behave affect biological processes within the body?
yes
human brain: cerebral cortex
- advanced cognitive functions
- prefrontal cortex regulates attention, behaviour, emotions
human brain: limbic system
role in emotions, decision making and memories
human brain: HPA
- hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal
- activated under conditions of stress or emotional arousal
dysregulation of HPA
can result in difficulty managing stress effectively
limbic system: thalamus
- relay station
- transmits nerve impulses throughout brain
limbic system: hypothalamus
regulates bodily impulses throughout brain
limbic system: hippocampus
- learning
- memory
limbic system: amygdala
experiencing and expressing emotions and motivation
brain abnormalities can _____
- result in AB
- aberrant functioning within brain regions
- structural differences in brain regions (Phineas Gage)
basic structure of neuron
- dendrite
- cell body
- axons
- synapse
dendrite
receive signals from other neurons
synapse
gap between axon of sending neuron and dendrites of receiving neuron
biochemical processes
neurotransmitters
- chemicals involved in transmission of neural impulses
dysfunction in:
- amount of neurotransmitter
- synapse deactivation mechanism
- receptor sensitivity
major neurotransmitters
- serotonin
- dopamine
- GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid)
- norepinephrine
serotonin: normal functions
- inhibitory effects
- regulate temperature, mood, appetite, sleep
- reduced serotonin creates impulsive B and aggression
serotonin: associated disorders
- OCD
- schizophrenia
- mood disorders
dopamine: normal functions
- influence motivation and reward-seeking B
- regulates movement, emotional responses, attention, planning
- excitatory and inhibitory effects
dopamine: associated disorders
- schizophrenia
- ADHD
- mood disorders
- Parkinson’s
GABA: normal functions
- major inhibitory neurotransmitter
- regulates mood, arousal, B
- calms nerves
GABA: associated disorders
- anxiety disorders
- ADHD
norepinephrine: normal functions
- regulates attention, arousal, concentration, dreaming, moods
- influences physiological reactions related to stress response
norepinephrine: associated disorders
- anxiety disorders
- sleep disorder
heredity
- genetic transmission of traits
- lays a role in most mental disorders
- most forms of AB = polygenic
genotype
- genetic material
- observable
- fixed at birth
- inherited
phenotype
- observable trait
- changes over time
- product of interaction between genotype and environment
gene expression
- process of info in gene translates into phenotype
- genes can be turned on and off
epigenetics
focuses on understanding how environmental factors influence gene expression
biological treatments: psychotropic meds
- medications to treat psychiatric symptoms
- do not cure mental disorders
- help alleviate symptoms
psychotropic meds: benefits
- improves lives
- stabilizing symptoms
- individuals become better able to participate in other forms of treatment
psychotropic meds: limitations
- when meds end, symptoms usually return
- side effects and possible drug-drug interactions
- limited focus on gender and ethnic differences in physiological response to medication
biological treatments: ECT
- electroconvulsive therapy
- induces small seizures with electricity and magnetism
- reserved for those not responding to other treatments
biological treatments: psychosurgery
- removing parts of the brain
- very uncommon today
biological treatments: brain stimulation
- deep brain stimulation
- repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
critiques of biological model
- no bio factors fully account for any form of mental disorders
- unknown how bio factors CAUSE mental disorders (only know = significant risk factor)
- exclusive focus on genetic factors promote that mental illness = predetermined
- caution against reductionism
reductionism
simplification of phenomenon to its basic elements
impact of biological model
- legitimacy of m.d. = organic cases, subject worthy of study in medicine
- prevention/treatment of m.d. should be possible by altering bodily functioning
- evidence that drugs can alter severity/course of certain m.d.
psychological models
- psychoanalytic/psychodynamic
- behavioural
- cognitive
- humanistic-existential
psychoanalytic vs psychodynamic
__analytic = Freud’s original theory
__dynamic = post-Freudian theories
Freud: structure
- id = pleasure
- ego = reality principle
- superego = “conscience”, moral principle
- intrapsychic conflicts
intrapsychic conflicts
psychopathology results from unconscious conflicts in individuals
Freud: defense mechanism
- intrapsychic conflict leads to anxiety
- ego’s protective methods of reducing anxiety
ego’s protective methods of reducing anxiety
- displacement
- denial
- projection
- rationalization
- repression
- reaction formation
- sublimination
modern psychodynamic theories
- recognize importance of unconscious
- importance of childhood experiences (shaping adult personality)
- agrees use of defense mechanisms to control anxiety and stress
BOWBLY + MAHLER PROPOSED THAT NEED TO BE LOVED AND ACCEPTED IS OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE IN CHILDHOOD
psychodynamic therapies
- psychoanalysis
- interpersonal psychotherapy
- brief psychodynamic therapy
psychoanalysis
to uncover material blocked from consciousness
interpersonal psychotherapy
links childhood experiences with current relational patterms
brief psychodynamic therapy
- focus on pas relationship issues
- how they affect current emotional and relationship experiences
critiques of psychodynamic models
- little empirical evidence support Freud’s original ideas
- dev does not stop in childhood
- people usually remember traumatic events, instead of repressing it
- fails to address cultural and social influence
- may not be useful with certain people (less talkative)
- far fewer outcome studies exist compared to other models
behavioural models
- AB are learned behaviours
- learning occurs through
1. classical conditioning (Pavlov)
2. operant conditioning (Skinner)
3. modelling/observational learning (Bandura)
refer to slides for examples of these kinds of learning
modeling/observational learning
- learning through observation alone, without directly experiencing an reconditiond stimulus or reinforcement
- observes rewards and punishments received by others
- classic Bobo doll study
modeling/observational learning: in psychopathology
- anxiety (phobias)
- substance use
- aggression and misconduct
behavioural therapies
- exposure therapy = counterconditioning fear response
- behavioural parent management
- behavioural classroom management
- social skills training = assertiveness training
critiques of behavioural models
- often neglect inner determinants of B
- neglect sociocultural context in which B occur
cognitive models
- we are all active interpreters of a situation
- focuses on how thoughts + info processing can become distorted and lead to maladaptive emotions and B
Albert Ellis: ABC therapy - irrational cognitive process
- activating event
- belief
- emotional and behavioural consequence
Albert Ellis: ABC therapy - rational intervention
- activating event
- belief
- disputing intervention
- new effective philosophy
- new feelings
Aaron Beck’s thoughts
- psychological problems produced by negative views about self, others, and the future
- schemas
- basis for CBT
schemas
underlying representation guiding info processing
CBT
- learn to identify maladaptive thoughts
- recognize thoughts, feelings, behaviours are connected
- gather evidence to support/refute negative thoughts
- replace negative thoughts
- interplay of learning and interpretations
third wave CBT
- also focus on cognitions and behaviours
- doesn’t refute irrational/negative thoughts
- holds non-reactive/nonjudgmental attention to emotions
1. reduces power
2. decrease distress
critiques of CBT
- reduces complex B to simple learning and interpretations (does not always incorporate biology)
- which come first? problematic thoughts or depresssion?
- cognitions are not observable phenomena
- authority role of therapist
critiques of CBT: authority role of therapist
power to identify irrational beliefs may be intimidating
impact of CB models
strong evidence of benefits is improving
- depression
- eating disorders
- autism
- schizophrenia
humanistic models
- suggest that all humans strive to fulfill their potential for good
- we seek to be creative and meaningful in our lives
- m.d. arise when this goal is thwarted - acknowledge free will
- we make choices that dictate our distress levels
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
- physiological
- safety/security
- social
- ego
- self-actualization
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: physiological
physical survival needs: water, food, sleep, warmth, exercise, etc.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: safety/security
- physical safety
- economic security
- freedom from threats
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: social
- acceptance
- part of group
- identification with successful team
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: ego
- important projects
- recognition from others
- prestige and status
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: self-actualization
- challenging projects
- opportunities for innovation and creativity
- learning at high level
Carl Roger’s thoughts
- people naturally strive for self-actualization, full potential
- anxiety occurs where there are discrepancies between self-perception and ideal self
- client-centered therapy
client-centered therapy
- human need for unconditional positive
- empathy
- provides an accepting therapeutic environment to reactivate potential for self-actualization
existential perspectives
- focus on all universal challenges encountered by all humans
- unhappiness and psychopathology stem from avoidance of important life challenges
existential therapy
- clients become aware of choices they have made
- consider ways in which their freedom is impaired
- help people become intentional in directing their lives
critiques of humanistic models
- many concepts = abstract/untestable
- self-awareness does not necessarily lead to change
- inability to address those with severe disorders
- does not address cultural diversity/social factors
- more effective for those who are verbal, intelligent, etc.
impact of humanistic models
- focus on human choice and growth
- empathy and positive regard = important
- Carl Rogers advocated for empirically evaluating therapy outcomes -> originating field of psychotherapy research
social factors
- how others can influence our B and emotions
assumptions of social factors
- healthy relationships = important for human dev and functioning
- when relationships = dysfunctional/absent, increase in vulnerability to mental distress
family systems model
- assumes B of one family member affects entire family system
- m.d. reflects unhealthy family dynamics and poor communication
- therapist must focus on family system, not just individual
family therapy: conjoint
stresses importance of message-sending/receiving skills to family members
family therapy: strategic
- consider family power struggles
- move toward more healthy distribution
family therapy: structural
- attempts to reorganize family relationships
- assumes family dysfunction occurs when family have too little/too much involvement with one another
common aspects of family therapy
focus on:
- communication
- equalizing power within the family
- restructuring the troubled system
couples therapy
helps couples understand and clarify:
- communication
- expectations
- roles
- needs
group therapy
- individuals share certain life stressors and m.d.
- allows participants to:
1. become involved in social situation
2. develop communication skills
3. feel less isolated
critiques of social-relational methods
- studies = not rigorous in design
- family systems model may have negative consequences
- cultural diversity not adequately addressed
socio-cultural factors
emphasize importance of:
- gender identification
- sexual orientation
- religious preference
- socioeconomic status
- other
gender factors
- higher prevalence of many m.h. conditions among women
gender factors causes
- socialization processes emphasizing importance of physical appearance
- women may be ore subjected to societal stress than men
- increased risk of physical and sexual victimization
- gender challenges often accentuated for women of colour
socioeconomic status SES
low SES associated with multiple stressors
- lower wage, unemployment, unstable employment
- housing and food insecurity
- limited access to healthcare
multilevel interventions necessary to reduce chronic env. stressors
immigration and acculturative stress
psychological, physical, social pressures associated with moving to new country
- adapt to new culture
- acculturation conflicts between family members
- educational, language, employment challenges
- fears surrounding deportation/family-separating policies
- loss of status and sense of powerlessness
- sometimes hostile reception from gov and public
