Psychology 3 Flashcards
Behavioral Genetics
- Genes, Temperament, and Heredity
- Define “Temperament”
- When is one’s temperament established?
- How does it change throughout one’s life span?
- Define “Temperament”
TEMPERAMENT
- Describes one’s general emotional disposition
- Temperament has been shown to be established at birth and relatively persistent across the life span
Behavioral Genetics
- Nature vs. Nurture: “The Grand Debate,” Heredity vs. Environment
Interdependence of Genes & Environment
- Scenario #3: Same Genes, Different Environment
Environment⇒Disease OR No Disease
- In many cases, a gene will remain phenotypically irrelevant in the absence of disease-inducing environmental conditions
- Genetic mutations that result in loss of enzymatic function are prime examples
- e.g., PKU, galactosemia
- A child born with galactosemia lacks one or more enzymes specific to the metabolism of galactose
- The results can be fatal
- However, if the child is kept on a low-galactose diet (environmental change), the disease has essentially no harmful effect
- e.g., PKU, galactosemia
- Genetic mutations that result in loss of enzymatic function are prime examples
Behavioral Genetics
- Nature vs. Nurture Study Methods
- A less-frequent Twin Study design type is to compare the frequency of a trait among DZ (fraternal; non-identical) twins raised together to the frequency of that same trait among DZ twins raised apart
- Why is this design less likely to be employed?
- What are its potential limitations?
The population of DZ twins raised apart is considerably smaller
- ∴ access to this limited population can be challenging
This particular design can also be problematic because:
- DZ twins are no more genetically similar than any non-twin siblings
- There would be a host of potential confounding variables
- …that might have contributed to the NEED to rear the twins separately
- i.e. overall lack of consistency all-around
- …that might have contributed to the NEED to rear the twins separately
Behavioral Genetics
Genetically-based Behavior Variation in Natural Populations
- Do the following hypothetical findings, if true, most support a genetic influence on behavior (nature), or an environmental influence on behavior (nurture)? Why?
1. Bipolar Disorder is more likely among individuals who have a sibling who has been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder
2. Adopted children who exhibit aggressive behavior are more likely to have a biological parent who also exhibits aggressive behaviors than they are to have an adoptive parent who exhibits aggressive behaviors
3. The concordance rate for alcoholism among MZ twins raised together is higher than the concordance rate for MZ twins raised apart
4. MZ twins raised together have more similar IQs than do DZ twins raised together
5. Strain X of MZ twin rats had a hereditary disposition toward obesity, while Strain Y did not- Both strains were divided into groups and fed either a below-average amount of food, or an above-average amount of food
- The amount of food fed to the rats was a effective predictor of life span than was Strain X or Y
- Arguments could be made for both nature and nurture
- Given the genetic relatedness among siblings, one could argue that there is a strong genetic component involved in bipolar disorder
- However, given that most siblings are raised in the same family environments, there could be key shared experiences in that context that increase the likelihood of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
- This would support a nature argument
- If aggression levels are more similar to biological relatives compared to adopted relatives, then this would suggest a genetic underpinning.
- This would support a nurture argument
- MZ twins are genetically identical
- therefore, one would argue that differences in alcoholism could be attributed to different environmental contexts in which these individuals are raised
- MZ twins are genetically identical
- This would support a nature argument
- Given that both sets of twins are raised in similar environments, one would assume that the higher concordance of IQs among MZ twins would be attributable to genetics.
- This would support a nurture argument
- Amount of food available was more predictive than genetic predisposition to obesity
Behavioral Genetics
- Nature vs. Nurture: “The Grand Debate,” Heredity vs. Environment
- For every ___al, ____al, or ___al characteristic or behavior, scientists ask WHAT question?
- What almost always the answer?
- For every psychological, sociological, or biological characteristic or behavior, scientists have asked the question
- “Is this primarily the result of genes (nature), or the influence of the environment (nurture)?”*
- The answer is most often (but not always)
BOTH!
Behavioral Genetics
- Nature vs. Nurture: “The Grand Debate,” Heredity vs. Environment
Interdependence of Genes & Environment
- Scenario #2: Different Genes, Same Environment
Genes⇒Environment
- Suppose you have a genetic predisposition toward high IQ and your adopted brother has a predisposition toward low IQ
- You are raised in the same home and loved equally
- One would assume environment will be controlled, or the same, for both of you
- However, as your genes are expressed, they impact your mother
- When she smiles at you, you smile back
- You talk earlier than your brother and are more interactive
Almost unavoidably, your mother will begin treating YOU differently
- While you do have the genes for higher IQ, those genes are not acting ALONGSIDE the environment
- …they are actually CHANGING the environment!
- The same is true of your adopted brother
- He gets less attention and praise because he interacts less
- In this case, the influence of genes on environment makes the disparity between you and your brother greater than one would expect based on the genetic differences
Behavioral Genetics
-
EXPERIENCE-BASED (Environmental) INFLUENCES ON BEHAVIOR:
- The influence of experience on behavior would include everything that is NOT ______
- Give some examples
- The influence of experience on behavior would include everything that is NOT ______
The influence of experience on behavior would include everything that is NOT GENETIC
- Learning
- Conditioning
- Socializing
- One’s environment, and
- any other experience you encounter in life
…all impact your behavior
Behavioral Genetics
- Regulatory Genes and Behavior
- Define & Describe “Regulatory Genes”
Regulatory genes
are genes that code for a substance that regulates the transcription of ANOTHER GENE
- Includes:
- up or down regulation
- promotion
- inhibition
Behavioral Genetics
-
Genetically-based Behavior Variation in Natural Populations
- …provide evidence for the influence of genetics on behavior
Describe the following 3 observations and how they show the influence of genetics on behavior
- Species-Specific Behaviors
- Animal Breeding
- Familial Concordance
-
Species-Specific Behaviors
- Behavior observed only among members of the same species
-
Animal Breeding
- Animals can be bred to exhibit target behaviors, such as:
- Aggression being genetically-selected for in rodeo bulls
- Hunting skills being genetically-selected for in certain dog breeds
- Animals can be bred to exhibit target behaviors, such as:
-
Familial Concordance
- Behaviors shown to run in families
OR
- be more frequent among children of parents with that behavioral trait
Behavioral Genetics
- Behavior and Natural Selection:
Describe:
- Innate Behavior
- Learned Behavior
- Adaptive Value
- Traits with high adaptive value are more likely to…?
- Why?
- Traits with high adaptive value are more likely to…?
- What is “Adaptive Evolution,” and what 2 things can it occur with?
Innate Behavior
- Behavior thought to be predominantly genetic and present regardless of environmental influences
Learned Behavior
- Behaviors thought to be predominantly environmental (i.e., learned via experience), and independent of heredity
Adaptive Value
- The degree to which a behavior INCREASES EVOLUTIONARY FITNESS
- Traits with high adaptive value are more likely to be represented in future generations
- Because natural selection favors the most fit individuals and behaviors, these behaviors will eventually result in a change in the gene pool—
- an increase in the more adaptive trait
- Because natural selection favors the most fit individuals and behaviors, these behaviors will eventually result in a change in the gene pool—
- Traits with high adaptive value are more likely to be represented in future generations
This is adaptive evolution and it can occur with:
- both physical traits
- e.g., Darwin’s Finches and beak structure
- …and behavioral traits
- e.g., Different dog breeds bred for different behaviors
Behavioral Genetics
Nature vs. Nurture Study Methods
- Describe:
- FAMILY studies
- ADOPTION studies
Family Studies
- Compare frequency of behavior/condition/trait among related individuals to the frequency of that same measure among non-relatives
Adoption Studies
- Compare the behaviors/conditions/traits of an adopted child to those of its adoptive parents;
- Simultaneously compare that same child, on those same measures, to its biological parents.
Behavioral Genetics
- Nature vs. Nurture Study Methods
- For the following twin study experimental design types, identify the dependent variable, independent variable, any obvious study limitations, and—if present—the control:
- Family Studies
- Adoption Studies
- Twin Study
- MZ vs. DZ, both raised together
- Twin Study
- MZ and MZ, raised together vs. apart
- For the following twin study experimental design types, identify the dependent variable, independent variable, any obvious study limitations, and—if present—the control:
Family Studies
Dependent variable:
- rates of neurodegenerative disease
“Independent” variable:
- degree of relatedness
- this is not a true independent variable
- because it cannot be actively manipulated
- ∴ this research is correlational in nature (and has all the inherent problems of correlational research)
- because it cannot be actively manipulated
- this is not a true independent variable
This is usually referred to as a quasi-independent variable
Think “Quasimodo”= DEFORMED
- Family studies are limited –
-
because families in which the disease occurs will be selectively recruited
- which makes sample representativeness problematic
- “Sampling Bias”
-
because families in which the disease occurs will be selectively recruited
Adoption Studies
- Dependent variable:
- IQ
-
Quasi-independent variable:
- adopted vs. biological
- These types of studies are difficult to do because:
- there is a relatively small population to select from
- Difficulty in attaining information about biological relatives of adopted individuals
Twin Study
MZ vs. DZ, both raised together
- Dependent variable:
- aggression level
-
Quasi-independent variable:
- degree of relatedness (MZ vs. DZ twin)
- Potential limitations lie again in generalizability
Twin Study
MZ and MZ, raised together vs. apart
- Dependent variable:
- obesity
-
Quasi-independent variable:
- reared together or apart
- These studies are difficult because access to these populations is very limited
Behavioral Genetics
- Nature vs. Nurture: “The Grand Debate,” Heredity vs. Environment
- Describe “Interdependence”
INTERDEPENDENCE
- The influence of genes and environment on biology and behavior goes well beyond the simple fact that BOTH factors influence most traits
- The two influences are often interdependent—literally changing each other
Behavioral Genetics
- Nature vs. Nurture: “The Grand Debate,” Heredity vs. Environment
Interdependence of Genes & Environment
- Scenario #1: Same Genes, Different Environment
Environment⇒Gene Expression
- Suppose your genes predispose you to a high IQ, but your environment includes a mother who is biased against people who “think they are smart.”
- Your mother’s reinforcement can actually CHANGE the way your genes are expressed
- Suppose your identical twin is adopted by a mother with a PhD who constantly encourages learning
- YOUR brain may perform neuronal pruning on underused synapses that are underused because your mom discourages learning
- Your twin brother has those neuronal synapses strengthened because he uses them—
- under the influence of an encouraging mother
- One would expect the same “IQ genes” to produce the same neurological structures and capacity, but that is NOT the case
- because environment altered gene expression
Behavioral Genetics
Nature vs. Nurture: “The Grand Debate,” Heredity vs. Environment
- Interdependence of Genes & Environment
Scenario #4: Same Genes, Different Environment
Environment⇒Covalent Modification of the DNA⇒Dramatically Different Physiology
- Evidence exists for cases where the gene (i.e., DNA structure) itself is covalently altered by the environment
- One study showed that increased licking behavior by a mother rat resulted in methylation of a segment of DNA (preventing transcription) that codes for a regulatory protein which upregulates transcription of a membrane receptor
- This direct change in physiology persisted into adulthood
- Amazingly, the methylation occurred within one week and could be reversed if the mother’s licking behavior was reversed!
Behavioral Genetics
Nature vs. Nurture Study Methods
- Describe Twin Studies
- Also, differentiate b/t the 2 types:
- Dizygotic Twins (“DZ”) aka?
- Monozygotic Twins (“MZ”) aka?
- Also, differentiate b/t the 2 types:
Twin Studies
- Compare concordance rates between monozygotic (MZ) twins raised in the same family to dizygotic (DZ) twins raised in the bfamily
OR
- Compare concordance rates for monozygotic twins raised in the same family to those raised apart
Monozygotic Twins
a.k.a., “Identical Twins”
- Genetic influence is CONTROLLED
- Studies examine twins raised in different homes–
- so that environmental influence is VARIABLE
Dizygotic Twins
a.k.a., “Fraternal Twins” or NON-identical
- Genetic influence is VARIABLE
- Studies examine twins in the same home–
- so that environmental influence is CONTROLLED
Behavioral Genetics
- Nature vs. Nurture Study Methods
- Suppose you are asked to design a study to investigate the degree to which Behavior X is HERITABLE
- also–what does “heritability” refer to?
- Rank the studies outlined above (Family, Adoption, Twin) according to their increasing ability to produce accurate results WITHOUT confounding variables
- Discuss the individual limitations of each study for this purpose
- Suppose you are asked to design a study to investigate the degree to which Behavior X is HERITABLE
“Heritability” refers to the percentage (%) of trait variability that is attributable to GENES
Twin studies
- involving DZ twins raised together compared to MZ twins raised together
- would be one of the BEST TOOLS AVAILABLE to estimate a given trait’s heritability–
- because it is generally assumed that the shared environments would be so similar as to be inconsequential to contributing to trait variability
- ∴ less confounding variables
- because it is generally assumed that the shared environments would be so similar as to be inconsequential to contributing to trait variability
- would be one of the BEST TOOLS AVAILABLE to estimate a given trait’s heritability–
Family studies
- Would be another way to get at this question
- However, as one moves outside of one’s immediate family, larger variations would be expected
- …in terms of environmental factors
Adoption studies
- Are also potential tools provided that:
- information is available about the trait of interest from the biological parents
- If the adopted child is more similar to biological parents than to the adopted parents
- then one could argue that there was substantial heritability for that trait
Behavioral Genetics
- Regulatory Genes and Behavior
- Describe how the example below shows how Regulatory Genes influence behavior
Same Genes, Different Environment
Environment ⇒Covalent Modification of the DNA⇒Dramatically Different Physiology
Evidence exists for cases where the gene (i.e., DNA structure) itself is covalently altered by the environment
One study showed that increased licking behavior by a mother rat resulted in methylation of a segment of DNA (preventing transcription) that codes for a regulatory protein which upregulates transcription of a membrane receptor
LICKING=A WAY RAT COPED WITH STRESS
This direct change in physiology persisted into adulthood
Amazingly, the methylation occurred within one week and could be reversed if the mother’s licking behavior was reversed
- In this case, a certain gene influenced an individual’s ability to cope with stress
- However, it wasn’t this “stress coping” gene that was regulated–
- It was the regulator OF the “stress coping” gene that was “turned off”–
- via methylation of the DNA sequence (gene) coding for the regulator
- It was the regulator OF the “stress coping” gene that was “turned off”–
Under normal conditions, the regulator promotes transcription (and therefore translation) of a glucocorticoid membrane receptor
**By preventing the synthesis of the promoter**, thebehavior of the mothereffectivelyALTEREDthegenetically-determined behavior of the child (i.e., the child’s ability to cope with stress).
The ENTIRE CNS=___+___
=BRAIN + SPINAL CORD
Personality
- Other (aka Non-Freud or Jung) Personality Types:
Describe the most basic components of the personality theories of ALFRED ADLER
- Creative Self
- Style of life
- Fictional Finalism
- Inferiority Complex
Alfred Adler (A Neo-Freudian)
- Adler espoused a much more OPTIMISTIC view of human nature than did Freud
As such, Adler believed that all human behavior was guided through a process of self-improvement and success
- and that each individual’s personality was forged through his/her choices
- …and was often motivated by feelings of inferiority that each of us experiences in some aspect of our lives
- This is known as the concept of “Creative Self”
-
…and it helps to forge a person’s “Style of Life”,
- or “unconscious patterns of behavior in dealing with all aspects of life”
-
…and it helps to forge a person’s “Style of Life”,
- Adler believed that Freud’s focus on childhood experiences and their role in establishing adult personality represented “Fictional finalism”
- …because this approach ignores the active role that individuals play in determining their own personalities
- Individuals who fail to use their feelings of inferiority as motivation for self-improvement may experience an inferiority complex–
- by which they feel entirely overwhelmed and powerless as a result of their shortcomings
Theories of Personality
- Humanistic Personality Theories
Psychoanalytic vs. Humanistic Perspectives on Personality
- Think of “Psychoanalytic” as:
- Think of “Humanistic” as:
How do compare a person with their neuroses?
(aka mental illnesses)
THINK of Psychoanalytic as:
- Patients are “sick”, repressed, or have other troubles in need of treatment
A person is DEFINED by their neuroses
THINK of Humanistic as:
- How healthy individuals strive toward self-realization
- Has a more HOLISTIC view
A person is MORE than just the sum of their neuroses
Theories of Personality
- Humanistic Personality Theories
Describe Max Wertheimer’s “Gestalt Therapy”
MAX WERTHEIMER: Gestalt Therapy
- A humanist approach to therapy emphasizing the treatment of the individual as a whole
- Rather than* reducing the person to a sum of their individual behaviors, drives, or neuroses
Theories of Personality
- Humanistic Personality Theories
Describe Kurt Lewin’s “Field Theory”
KURT LEWIN: Field Theory
- Focuses on the state-of-mind of the patient as
- the sum of interactions between:
- their individual personality, and
- the “total field” (environment)
- the sum of interactions between:
Personality Theories
- Humanistic Personality Theories
Describe Carl Rogers’ “Client-Centered Therapy” (CCT)
CARL ROGERS: Client-Centered Therapy (CCT)
- One of the most widely-used psychotherapeutic approaches
- In CCT, therapists should NOT direct the therapy or offer solutions
THE CLIENT DIRECTS THE DISCUSSION
- Further, the therapist must always be:
- empathetic,
- genuine and
- show unconditional positive regard for the client
…REGARDLESS of circumstance
- Finally, Rogers emphasized calling the recipient a “client” rather than a “patient”
- to avoid the concept that they are “sick” and need help
- –which he viewed as judgmental
- to avoid the concept that they are “sick” and need help
Theories of Personality
- Humanistic Personality Theories
Describe George Kelly’s “Personal Construct Theory”
GEORGE KELLY: Personal Construct Theory
- Personality is composed of the various mental constructs
- –through which each person views reality
Theories of Personality
- Describe (in general):
Humanistic Personality Theories
- What do they say Personality consist of?
- What is Fundamental to “Humanism?”
Humanistic Personality Theories
- Personality consists of the conscious feelings we have for ourselves
- …as we strive to reach our individual needs and goals (i.e., self-actualization)
Fundamental to humanism is the idea that people are inherently good
Personality
- Other (aka Non-Freud or Jung) Personality Types:
Describe the most basic components of the personality theories of KAREN HORNEY
- Neurotic Needs
- Basic Anxiety
- Basic Hostility
Karen Horney
- was another Neo-Freudian who parted with Freud’s views on a number of counts
- For one, Horney refused to accept that sexual and aggressive urges were the key factors in determining someone’s personality
- She also rejected the emphasis that Freud and his follower’s placed on the male sex organ (she was a DICK HATER)
- As such, she took a much more humanistic view of personality
One of Horney’s major contributions to psychology involved her theory of Neurosis
(Basic) HOSTILITY⇒ (Basic) ANXIETY⇒ NEUROSIS, and its accompanying “NEUTORIC NEEDS” (to cope w/ anxiety)
- According to Horney, neurosis results from basic anxiety which results from troubles in personal relationships that stem from childhood
- If a child perceives that they did not have their needs met by their parents, then they would experience basic hostility towards them
- This hostility would serve as one source of the basic anxiety that they feel in other relationships
- As people try to cope with this anxiety, they may fall into a rut in terms of their coping mechanisms of choice which could be construed as a series of neurotic needs
- (e.g. the need for approval, the need for power).
Personality
- Type A vs. Type B Personality Theory
- Give 3 characteristics for Type A and Type B personalities
Proposed by two cardiologists, Friedman & Rosenman, as a way to predict one’s likelihood of developing coronary artery disease
-
Strongly criticized because:
- the subjects were all male
- Early studies were funded by tobacco companies
- …who had a strong interest in the outcome
Type A Personality (later changed to Type A Behavior Pattern)
- Competitiveness
- Time Urgency
- Hostility
Type B Personality (later changed to Type B Behavior Pattern)
- More relaxed and reflective
- Lower anxiety levels
- Higher imagination/creativity
Theories of Personality
-
Describe (in general) Trait Personality Theories
- How do these theories differ from Psychoanalytic or Humanistic perspectives?
TRAIT Personality Theories:
- Personality= Σ of Traits
- broad, relatively-stable characteristics or dispositions
- These theories are focused on unique DIFFERENCES between individuals–
- whereas Psychoanalytic or Humanistic perspectives focus more on commonalities among all people
- e.g., common needs, common neuroses
- whereas Psychoanalytic or Humanistic perspectives focus more on commonalities among all people
Psychological Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders
- have a higher frequency among ___ than ____.
- and are the ____ _____ psychological disorders in the US
Higher frequency among WOMEN than men
- Are the MOST COMMON psychological disorders in the US
Psychological Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders
Differentiate b/t:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
THINK: …and I’m overly paranoid Rob Lowe
- A prolonged and exaggerated sense of worry that has few or no verifiable causes
- May be accompanied by:
- an exaggerated startle reflex
- trouble sleeping
- headaches
- nausea
- fatigue
- excessive sweating, etc.
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) (a.k.a., Social Phobia)
THINK: Reclusive Redditors
- An overwhelming feeling of anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations
- It is characterized by:
- a fear of being judged
- feelings of inadequacy, inferiority, embarrassment, humiliation, and depression
- May be accompanied by:
- blushing
- nausea
- excessive sweating
- trembling
- difficulty speaking, etc.
Psychological Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders
Compare Specific Phobia with Agoraphobia
Specific Phobia
THINK: “OMG I’m afraid of _spiders_!!!!!”
- An irrational and excessive fear of:
- an object or situation
- May be accompanied by:
- dizziness
- nausea
- difficulty breathing
- a sense of unreality
- a fear of dying
- In extreme cases, it can induce…..
- a FULL-SCALE ANXIETY ATTACK!!!!!
Agoraphobia
THINK: “I’m afraid of _crowds”_
- A persistent fear of any place or circumstance
- …from which escape might be difficult
- Individuals are usually fearful of being:
- outside of their homes
- traveling in a car
- in a crowd, or
- in public spaces
- May be accompanied by:
- depressed mood
- anxiousness
- fearful behaviors, or
- panic attacks
Psychological Disorders
- PSYCHOLOGIAL DISORDERS REVIEW:
Identify the psychological disorder that is most likely to be diagnosed given the following symptoms:
- Alternating periods of high energy/impulsive behavior and depression
- Hearing voices that urge the individual to hurt himself,
- Significant periods of memory loss for events that others claim the individual was present for but they also indicate that he was behaving oddly
- Persistent thoughts that harm would befall his parents if he failed to take a flight of stairs two stairs at a time
- Avoiding situations in which social interaction would occur because of an intense feeling of social inferiority
- An intense need to be the center of attention at all times
- Significant issues with maintaining balance and pronounced tremors
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Dissociative identity disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Avoidant personality disorder
- Histrionic personality disorder
- Parkinson’s disease
Psychological Disorders
- Dissociative Disorders
Describe the basic diagnostic symptoms of:
- Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
- Dissociative Amnesia
…according to DSM-5
The DSM-5 lists the following as diagnostic criteria for Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID):
THINK: Me, Myself, & Irene
- Disruption of identity with 2 or more DISTINCT personalities, as:
- Observed by others or
- As reported by the patient
- Recurrent periods of AMNESIA for both:
- Everyday events and
- Important personal experiences
- These disturbances fall outside of:
- cultural/religious practices
- imaginary play of children
- The disturbances have caused significant impairment in the individual’s:
- occupational or social functioning
- The disturbance is not due to drug use or some other medical condition
Psychological Disorders
- Personality Disorders
- Describe (in general) characteristics of the disorders in Cluster A
- What are the 3 disorders in Cluster A?
Cluster A
- Notice that all disorders in this cluster have a very common general description pertaining to either DISRUPTIVE or DISTORTED patterns of thought, behavior, and functioning
- Paranoid Personality Disorder
- Schizotypal Personality Disorder
- Schizoid Personality Disorder
Psychological Disorders
- Personality Disorders
Cluster B
- Describe:
- Histrionic Personality Disorder
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder
What are they 1) Characterized by, and 2) Accompanied by?
Histrionic Personality Disorder
THINK: Robin Grigg’s behavior in Taiwan
- Characterized by:
- excessive but shallow emotions
- attention-seeking
- manipulative behavior
- May be accompanied by:
- fleeting moods, opinions or beliefs
- excessive suggestibility
- a desire for others to witness their emotional outbursts
- exaggeration of symptoms
- threats of suicide
…as a form of MANIPULATION
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
THINK: Kanye West
- Characterized by:
- an excessive sense of self- importance
- an extreme preoccupation with oneself
- and a lack of empathy for others
- May be accompanied by:
- A constant need for
- attention
- affirmation
- praise
- A belief that one is “special” and should ONLY associate with others of the same caliber
- Fantasies about success and power
- A sense of entitlement
- Expectations of special treatment
- A constant need for
EX: A man’s mother died on a Thursday and on Saturday his wife had the annual picnic for her office. She demanded that her husband and children go to the picnic in spite of their grief and act happy and not talk about Grandma dying in order to make a good impression on her coworkers (make HER look good. Doesnt give a crap about her family)
Psychological Disorders
- Personality Disorders
Cluster C
-
Describe:
- Avoidant Personality Disorder
- Dependent Personality Disorder
Avoidant Personality Disorder
THINK: Socially anxious Redditor
- Characterized by:
- extreme shyness
- sensitivity to criticism and rejection
- low self-esteem,
-
avoidance of social situations—
- including school or work
- Individuals may desire closeness with others, but have difficulty forming relationships outside of their immediate family
Dependent Personality Disorder
THINK: Kaila Bravo from high school
- Characterized by:
- a chronic, pervasive pattern of dependent, submissive, and NEEDY behavior
- Individuals may seek excessive:
- approval
- advice, or
- encouragement
- May include:
- sensitivity to criticism or rejection
- low self-esteem
- low self-confidence
- an inability to make decision without others
- feelings of helplessness
- extreme devastation when close relationships end—
- with the need to IMMEDIATELY begin a new relationship
Psychological Disorders
- Personality Disorders
Cluster C
- Define Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
- Differentiate between OCPD and OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive PERSONALITY Disorder (OCPD)
- Characterized by a chronic and significant preoccupation with perfection, control and order
- May include rigid behaviors, resistance to change, inflexibility, stubbornness, and a sense of helplessness in uncontrollable circumstances
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) are two distinct diagnoses
- OCD involves obsessions that generate anxiety and compulsive behaviors that are engaged in an attempt to alleviate anxiety
- These thoughts and behaviors are generally UNWELCOME
- The experience of an individual with OCPD is quite different in that they tend to be preoccupied with rules, regulation, and organization
- They tend to DEMAND PERFECTION in all of their endeavors and are quite inflexible in their patterns of thoughts and in the way that they approach new problems
Unlike someone diagnosed with OCD, the OCPD individual views their perspective as an EFFICIENT (“GOOD”) way to deal with the challenges of life and are MUCH LESS LIKELY to seek professional help to address these issues
Psychological Disorders
- Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders
- Describe PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- A stressor-induced disorder developed after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event such as:
- a natural disaster
- violent crime, or
- war
- May include:
- hyper-vigilance
- reliving the event
- anxiety
- avoidance
Psychological Disorders
- Understanding Psychological Disorders:
- Name the 2 approaches to categorizing and understanding psychological disorders
- Biomedical Approach
- Biopsychosocial Approach
Psychological Disorders
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Describe the basic diagnostic symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder according to DSM-5
- What is the difference between an obsession and a compulsion?
In order to be diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, an individual must exhibit obsessions AND/OR compulsions
-
Obsessions
- involve repeated occurrence of unwanted thoughts which generate significant anxiety such that the individual experiencing them will try to make these thoughts stop
-
Compulsions
- are repeated patterns of behavior or thought that the individual engages in to make obsessions go away
- The purpose of these ritualized patterns of behavior/thought is to reduce stress or avoid some feared situation
Aside from exhibiting obsessions and/or compulsions, these disturbances are:
-
Time consuming
- i.e. at least an hour of each day is devoted to them
- Significant impairment in the individual’s daily activities
- These disturbances are not better explained by the use of some substance or some other medical condition
- Finally, obsessions/compulsions cannot be only related to the symptoms of some other disorder
Psychological Disorders
- Schizophrenia:
Describe the basic diagnostic symptoms of Schizophrenia (according to DSM-5)
In order to diagnose an individual with schizophrenia, the following criteria must be met:
A)
- The individual must exhibit for at least one month, two (or more) characteristic symptoms which include:
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Disorganized speech
- Grossly abnormal psychomotor behavior
-
Negative symptoms
- Losing interest in everyday activities
- Feeling out of touch with family & friends, etc.
-
At least one of those symptoms has to be an ACTIVE symptom
- i.e. delusions, hallucinations, and/or disorganized speech
B)
- The individual has experienced significant impairments in their ability to engage in day-to-day activities and in interpersonal relationships
- ...as a function of the onset of symptoms
C)
- Signs of the disturbance are present for at least 6 months
- this includes the 1 month of ACTIVE symptoms
- and may include periods of less pronounced symptoms that may be dominated by:
- Negative symptoms or
- Less severe Active symptoms
D)
- Alternative diagnoses (i.e. Schizoaffective and Mood Disorders) have been ruled out
E)
- Symptoms are NOT better explained by substance use and/or some other medical condition
F)
- Individuals with Autistic disorder (or another pervasive developmental disorder or problem with communication) must present:
- prominent:
- Delusions or
- Hallucinations
- …for at least one month
- prominent:
…in order to be diagnosed with schizophrenia
Psychological Disorders
- Depressive Disorders
Define: Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)
- What is it characterized by?
- How does it relate to a MDE?
- How long must it persist to be diagnostic?
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)
- Characterized by Dysthymia
- which is depressive symptoms that are not severe enough to qualify as a MDE, but persist most of the time
- …for at least two years
- which is depressive symptoms that are not severe enough to qualify as a MDE, but persist most of the time
Psychological Disorders:
-
GENERAL DIAGNOSTIC RULE
- To be diagnosed affirmatively, the symptoms of almost any disorder must cause what 2 things?
To be diagnosed affirmatively, the symptoms of almost any disorder must cause:
- Clinically significant distress, OR
-
Impairment in normal functioning
- familial, social, occupational, etc.
Psychological Disorders:
- Depressive Disorders
- Define a Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- Describe the 2 types of MDDs:
- Major Depressive Episode (MDE)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Describe the 2 types of MDDs:
- Define a Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- Mood disorder with at least one Major Depressive Episode (MDE)
Major Depressive Episode (MDE)
- Depressed mood or loss of interest in normally-enjoyable daily activities
- interferes with normal functioning
- lasts for at least two weeks
- The MDE criteria are also an important part of diagnosing:
- Bipolar Disorder
Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD)
- MDD that occurs only at a specific time of year (season)
- Usually during the winter
Psychological Disorders
- Bipolar Disorder:
Provide a conceptual definition for the following terms as they relate to Bipolar Disorder:
- Manic episode
- Bipolar I
- Hypomania
- Bipolar II
MANIC EPISODES
- are disturbances of mood that are used to diagnose bipolar disorder
- Many individuals who are diagnosed with some sort of bipolar disorder often experience alternations between manic episodes and depressed episodes
- However, depressed episodes are NOT
- part of the diagnostic criteria
The severity of the manic episode will often dictate the specific diagnosis that is made:
- For instance, individuals with full blown manic episodes are diagnosed as BIPOLAR I
- However, if the individual experiences less intense mania, or HYPOMANIA, then they are more likely to be diagnosed as BIPOLAR II.
Psychological Disorders
PSYCHOLOGIAL DISORDERS REVIEW:
-
For each of the following symptoms, list ALL of the psychological or neurological disorders discussed in this section that can include this symptom:
- Delusions of grandeur or a sense of grandiosity
- Depressed mood
- Significant impairment of normal daily functioning
- Hallucinations
- Loss of appetite
- Guilt
- Avoidance of social interaction
- Significant weight gain or loss
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
- Onset linked to trauma
- Fluctuations in mood
- Memory loss
- Impaired sensory or motor function
-
Delusions of grandeur have been described in individuals suffering from:
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Parkinson’s disease
-
Depressed mood occurs in:
-
All types of Depressive disorders
- e.g. Major depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder, etc.
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
-
All types of Depressive disorders
- All disorders have the potential for significant impairment of normal functioning (by definition)
-
Hallucinations are most often associated with:
- Schizophrenia,
- …but there are reports of individuals with degenerative diseases (like Alzheimer’s disease) also experiencing hallucinations
-
Loss of appetite is often a symptom of :
- Depressive disorders
- Bipolar disorder
-
Feelings of guilt are common in:
- depressive disorders
- bipolar disorder
-
Avoidance of social interaction can be common in:
- depressive disorders
- bipolar disorder
- schizophrenia
- social anxiety disorder (SAD)
- avoidant personality disorder
-
Weight loss or gain are associated with:
- depressive disorders
- bipolar disorder
- anxiety disorders
- e.g generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.
- schizophrenia
-
Suicidal thoughts are associated with:
- depressive disorders
- bipolar disorder
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- any number of personality disorders
- schizophrenia
-
Onset linked to trauma is linked to:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Dissociative identity disorder
-
Emotional instability/ Fluctiations in mood are linked with:
- Depressive disorders
- bipolar disorder
- schizophrenia
- histrionic personality disorder
- borderline personality disorder
-
Memory loss is a hallmark of:
- Dissociative disorders
- e.g. dissociative identity disorder and dissociative amnesia
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Dissociative disorders
-
Impaired sensory and motor function is associated with:
- Somatic symptom disorder
- Parkinson’s disease
- the latter stages of Alzheimer’s disease
Psychological Disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Positive vs. Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Identify each of the following as an example of either a positive or a negative symptom of schizophrenia:
- Thought broadcasting
- Flat affect
- Delusion of grandeur
- Disturbance of affect
- Thought insertion
- Disorganized behavior
- Avolition
- =general lack of drive to perform activities or pursue meaningful goals
- Positive
- Negative
- Positive
- Positive
- Positive
- Positive
- Negative
Psychological Disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Positive vs. Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Provide a conceptual definition for the following terms related to Schizophrenia:
- Prodromal phase
- Disturbance of affect
- Flat affect
- Inappropriate affect
- Blunting a.k.a., “Blunted affect”
- Hallucinations
- are often ____ in nature
- Delusions/ Delusional Thinking
- Delusions of grandeur
- delusions of persecution
- delusions of reference,
- thought insertion,
- thought broadcasting,
- Disorganized Behavior
- Catatonia
- Echolalia
- Echopraxia
Prodromal phase of schizophrenia
- is essentially EARLY onset of schizophrenia
- At this stage, mild, nonpsychotic symptoms begin to surface
- As a result, the individual in the prodromal phase may begin to exhibit behavioral differences
- e.g. may lose interest in things that once brought pleasure or may begin to isolate themselves from others
- …that are a signal that something is wrong
- As a result, the individual in the prodromal phase may begin to exhibit behavioral differences
Disturbance of affect
- Refers to the emotional irregularities that can occur in individuals who suffer from schizophrenia
- Such disturbances can manifest themselves as:
- Inappropriate emotionality (“Inappropriate affect”)
- As significant reductions in emotional response (“Blunted affect”), or
- As a complete lack of emotional responsiveness (“Flat affect”)
- Schizophrenia is often marked by the presence of Hallucinations (often auditory in nature) and Delusions
In both instances, the schizophrenic is not in touch with reality
DELUSIONS (“Delusional thinking”)
- Often involves:
- An inflated sense of self-importance or power
- (“Delusions of Grandeur”)
- A belief that others are plotting to hurt or control them
- (“Delusions of Persecution”)
- Seeing personal meaning in any variety of mundane events that occur around them
- (“Delusions of Reference”)
- Believing that others are placing thoughts in their minds
- (“Thought Insertion”)
- That others have access or can hear their thoughts
- (“Thought Broadcasting”)
- An inflated sense of self-importance or power
Aside from disordered patterns of thought, individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia often exhibit:
-
Disorganized behavior
- in which they engage in bizarre, pointless behaviors
Others may exhibit “catatonia”
- …In which they remain abnormally still for extended periods of time
In some instances the individual may automatically repeat anything that is said by others
- (“Echolalia”)
Or imitate any movements made by someone else
- (“Echopraxia”)
Psychological Disorders
- Somatic Symptom & Related Disorders
What disorder are “Hypochondriacs” classified under?
NEITHER!
What was formerly known as “hypochondriasis” was separated into these new, more empirical categories in DSM-5
- Somatic Symptom Disorder and Illness Anxiety Disorder have similar symptoms that could be easily confused
- SSD patients
- DO have a verifiable physical symptom
- SSD patients
“WTF is this (symptom)? OMG I’m worried nobody knows what it is!!!”
- IAD patients
- have anxiety about the POSSIBILITY of having an undiagnosed illness, or worry they will develop one
- …but have NO current symptoms
“OMG what if I’m sick?? I don’t want to get sick and die OMG!! What if I get Alzheimers or something?!”
Psychological Disorders
- Understanding Psychological Disorders:
- Compare the Biomedical & Biopsychosocial approaches
Biomedical Approach
- Psych disorders are caused by biological or chemical dysfunction
- e.g., genetic predisposition, abnormally low hormone or neurotransmitter levels
- Treatments are primarily biochemical
- e.g., surgery, drugs
- Considered more narrow by psychologists
- Focused more on relieving symptoms
Biopsychosocial Approach
- Psych disorders are caused by a combination of:
-
Biochemical Factors
- e.g., genetic defect, low hormone level
-
Psychological Factors
- ex: personality, unhealthy behaviors
-
Sociological Factors
- ex: culture, peer pressure
-
Biochemical Factors
- Treatments should include interventions in all three of these areas to be most effective
- Considered more broad
- Generally more “accepted” by psychologists
- Focused more on solving underlying causes and problems
Understanding Psychological Disorders
Biomedical vs Biopsychosocial approach
Describe in detail how the following problems would be addressed using primarily a biomedical approach, and alternatively how they would be addressed using primarily a biopsychosocial approach
- Patient A:
- is morbidly obese and has a history of failed dieting and weight loss attempts
- Patient B:
- Suffers from severe depression after having multiple pregnancies end in miscarriage
- Patient C:
- Recently survived a major cardiac arrest and underwent multiple bypass surgery
- He has a very high blood cholesterol level
Patient A
- A morbidly obese individual would probably be referred for gastric bypass surgery from someone coming from a biomedical perspective
- While a healthcare provider taking a biopsychosocial approach might also recommend gastric bypass surgery, this would be done in conjunction with some sort of psychological evaluation and counseling to help the patient overcome unhealthy patterns of behavior that contributed to and maintained the morbid obesity
Patient B
- The patient might be treated with antidepressant medications and/or medications that would stabilize future pregnancies by someone coming from the biomedical perspective
- Again, these things *would be done*, but IN CONJUNCTION with counseling on the grief and loss felt by the woman in the biopsychosocial approach
Patient C
- Biomedically speaking, the patient would be treated with medications to help lower cholesterol.
- From a biopsychosocial perspective, this drug therapy would be combined with an attempt to help the patient understand and process the fear that they might feel as a result of these experiences
- In addition, they might receive counseling on how to reduce stress and live a healthier lifestyle in the future
Psychological Disorders
- Define “Personality Disorders”
An enduring pattern of personal experience and behavior that:
- Deviates noticeably from the expectations of one’s culture,
- is pervasive and inflexible,
- has an onset in adolescence or early adulthood,
- is stable over time, and
- leads to personal distress or impairment
Psychological Disorders
- Somatic Symptom & Related Disorders
- Describe:
- Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD)
- Conversion Disorder
- Describe:
Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD)
THINK: Overly worried first-time mom
- Characterized by:
- Heightened bodily sensations
- Intense anxiousness about the POSSIBILITY of an undiagnosed illness
- “What if something’s wrong?!?!?!”
- Individuals may devote excessive time and energy to health concerns
- often obsessively researching them
- WebMD “Experts”
- often obsessively researching them
Conversion Disorder
THINK: When someone goes BLIND with rage (literally!)
- Characterized by the “conversion” of psychological stress into ACTUAL NEUROLOGICAL DEFICITS–
- usually numbness, paralysis, or blindness
Psychological Disorders
- “Dissociative Disorders” are characterized by what?
- an apparent escape from one’s identity
- …as a means of avoiding stress*
Ex: Faking your death to start a “new life”
Psychological Disorders
- Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders:
Describe Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD)
Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD)
- Characterized by physical symptoms of illness or injury
- …that CANNOT be explained by a general medical condition or another mental disorder
- Individuals often feel severe anxiety or distress about their undiagnosed condition
- and are preoccupied with its symptoms
The problem is NOT being fabricated by the patient, but is perceived by them as REAL