Week 1: Intro to psychopathology

Question 1

What is the difference between egodistonic and egocentric?

Answer 1

Egodistonic = want to change because it feels uncomfortable
Egocentric = don’t want to change, it gets them what they want

Question 2

Describe catharsis in the early approaches to psychopathology

Answer 2

Reliving an earlier emotional trauma and releasing emotional tension by expressing previously forgotten thoughts about the event. E.g., Freud’s work

Question 3

What is genotype?

*behaviour genetics

Answer 3

The total genetic makeup of an individual, consisting of inherited genes.
Cannot be outwardly observed

Question 4

What is phenotype?

*behaviour genetics

Answer 4

The totality of observable behavioural characteristics, e.g., level of anxiety.
Changes over time and is the product of the interaction between genotype and the environment

Question 5

What is molecular genetics?

Answer 5

Molecular genetics - seeks to identify particular genes and their functions

Question 6

What are alleles?

Answer 6

Different forms of the same gene. Alleles are found at the same location or locus of a chromosome pair

Question 7

What is a genetic polymorphism?

Answer 7

A difference in DNA sequence on a gene that has occurred in a population

Question 8

What are the four chemical bases on a double helix of DNA?

Answer 8

A = Adenine
G = Guanine
T = Thymine
C = Cytosine

Question 9

What does a short version of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT) result in

Answer 9

More prone to high reactivity to threatening stimuli and a smaller amgydala

Question 10

What is epigenetic?

Answer 10

The study of how the environment can alter gene expression or function

Question 11

What are the four major parts of the neuron?

Answer 11

1. The cell body
2. Several dendrites
3. One or more icons of varying length
4. Terminal buttons on the many end branches of the axon

Question 12

What are the meninges?

Answer 12

The three protective layers of membrane enveloping the brain

Question 13

What three major parts is the brain comprised of?

Answer 13

1. The forebrain
2. The midbrain
3. The hindbrain

Question 14

What is the name given to the major connection between the two hemispheres comprised of a band of nerve fibres which allows the two hemispheres to communicate?

Answer 14

The corpus callosum

Question 15

Describe the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis’ role within the neuroendocrine system?

Answer 15

The HPA is central to the body’s response to stress in many disorders. Chronic stress and its effects on the hPA are linked to disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, PTSD

Question 16

What are the three factors of the HPA axis?

Answer 16

Hypothalamus - corticotropin-releasing factor
Pituitary - ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) (through blood)
Adrenal cortex - secretes hormones such as cortisone that elevate blood sugar and metabolic rate throughout the body

Question 17

How do medications such as Benzodiazepines & Zanax work?

Answer 17

By reducing tension associated with anxiety disorders through stimulating GABA neutrons to inhibit other neural systems that create the physical symptoms of anxiety

Question 18

What are the three types of learning that influenced the behaviourist approach?

Answer 18

Classical conditioning, operant conditioning, modelling

Question 19

What is the aim of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

Answer 19

Aims to help increase awareness of irrational thinking and the behavioural repertoires that lead to emotional distress and support maladaptive thinking patterns.

Question 20

Describe Becks Cognitive Theory

Answer 20

It is a collaborative treatment between a therapist and the person seeking treatment. The general goal is to provide people with experiences that will alter their negative schemas enabling them to have hope instead of despair

Question 21

What are Third Wave Cognitive Therapies?

Answer 21

Subsequent variants of cognitive-behavioural therapies that have incorporated a varying focus on cognitive processes as distinct from content, self-schemas and related elemenets

Question 22

Describe object relations theory and name another influential theory that grew from object relations

Answer 22

object relations theory stresses the importance of longstanding patterns in close relationships that are shaped by the ways in which people think and feel.

Another influential theory = attachment theory