Psychological disorders 2 Flashcards
What is etiology in psychology?
The cause or set of causes of a disorder.
What is the biological etiology model?
The medical or disease model, which points to genetics, atypical neurotransmitter levels, or abnormal brain structures.
What can genetics do in relation to psychological disorders?
Genetics can predispose people to developing psychological disorders.
What neurotransmitters are often low in people with depression?
Dopamine and norepinephrine.
What is observed in the brain structure of people with phobias, anxiety, and panic disorder?
A hyperactive amygdala.
What are some limitations of the biological etiology model?
It makes assumptions, oversimplifies things, and there are gaps in our knowledge.
What does the behavioral etiology model focus on?
What does the behavioral etiology model focus on?
How might disordered behavior be “rewarded” according to the behavioral model?
It may provide “rewarding” attention from others.
According to the behavioral model, why might people with depression struggle socially?
They may lack social skills, which makes it difficult to elicit normal positive social reinforcement.
What is an example of how behavioral reinforcement might maintain depression?
Others’ reactions provide attention that positively reinforces depressive behaviors.
What is Somatic Symptom Disorder?
A disorder where someone fears having a disorder, which can cause stress-induced physical symptoms like rashes.
What does the cognitive etiology model suggest?
Mental disorders result from maladaptive or inappropriate ways of selecting and interpreting information from the environment.
How might interpretation affect emotional experience, according to the cognitive model?
We feel something based on how we interpret the event.
What are cognitive distortions?
Misperceptions of reality that happen in the absence of external evidence, relying on self-generated misperceptions.
What is catastrophizing?
Overemphasizing the negative outcomes of a not-so-serious situation.
What does the environmental etiology model consider?
Various factors in our environment that may give rise to psychological disorders (e.g., where we live, who we socialize with, what we eat).
What triggers schizophrenia according to the environmental model?
An environmental stress combined with a strong genetic component.
What is the diathesis-stress model?
A model explaining how stress affects people differently based on their level of genetic vulnerability (diathesis).
How does a high diathesis affect a person’s risk for schizophrenia?
They need only a small amount of stress to develop schizophrenia.
Can people with low diathesis develop schizophrenia?
Yes, if they experience enough stress.
