state of the art Flashcards
what are the factors which impact how we collect, analyse, interpret data
genetic
neuroscience
cognitive behvaioural
behavioural genetics
study of the degree which genes and environment influence behaviour
heritability
extent to which variability in observed behaviour can be accounted for by genetic factors
molecular genetics
what is heritable by identifying specific genes and describing how they work
- how much of that gene is observed in population
polymorphisms
difference in nucleotide sequence between individuals
types of polymorphisms
single base pair changes, deletions, insertions, changes in number of copies of DNA sequence
what are knock out animals in research
when a specific gene in an animal is manipulated
iwhat is the genetic paradogm
most disorders are polygenic
genetic factors increase vulnerability but not deterministic
what combination increases risk for mental health - genes and
poor environment
what is the neuroscience paradigm
psych disorders are caused by brain abnormalities in neurotransmitters, structure and function, or neuroendocrine system
what are neurons
messengers of nervous systems, communicate via electrical impulses,
made up of body, dendrite, axons
what is a neurotransmitter
a chemical which allows neurons to pass signals to one another
what is the re-uptake process
when unused neurotransmitters are collected by the presynaptic neuron
what are the 4 key neurotransmitters
dopamine
serotonin
noradrenaline
gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
how do antidepressants work on the brain
they slow down the re-uptake of serotonin, so that it stays in the synapse and increases the chance of the next neuron firing
neuroendocrine system - what does it control
eating, reproduction, growth, stress responses
what does the neuroendocrine system do
reacts to stressors, regulates avaialbility of oxygen
how is chronic stress related to psych disorders
leads to disregulated systems by applying stress responses to situations they shouldn’t (Panic disorder, PTSD)
what does long term HPA axis activation do
increases rick for psych disorders
when are behaviours repeated
when they are reinforced
what is exposure therapy and how does it work
exposure to a feared stimulus, works on resisting the urge to carry out avoidance behaviour, recognise the lack of consequences, over time stimulus does not provoke anxious reaction
what is a schema
a cognitive framework we use to organise and interpret information
emotion recognition task - interpretative bias in depression
depressed people are more likely to judge neutral and happy faces as being sad
what is cognitive therapy and its aims
to help identify and challenge thoughts and beliefs through restructuring
help learn problem solving techniques to deal with problems
