Chapter 2: An Integrative Approach to Psychopathology

one-dimensional model

explain behavior in terms of a single cause

multidimensional model

explains the causes of mental health as many factors, such as cognitive, emotional, social, and cultural environment

why do theorists favor an integrative model of abnormal behavior?

because abnormal behavior may result from multiple influences

a researcher claims that schizophrenia is caused entirely by a chemical imbalance in the brain. this is an example of:

one-dimensional model

in a multidimensional model why can’t one influence on psychopathology be considered independent?

different components of the system affect one another

gene

a unit of hereditary that is passed from parent to offspring

which disease is traced to a genetic defect that causes deterioration of the basal ganglia?

huntington’s disease

a normal human cell usually contains:

46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs

the first 22 pairs of human chromosomes are called:

autosomes

function of the autosome

provides directions for the development of the body and brain

what is genetic locus

a specific location of a gene on a chromosome

different versions of the same gene are called:

alleles

which BEST describes a dominant allele?

only one copy may be necessary for the trait to be expressed

a recessive allele generally influences a trait when:

two recessive alleles are inherited

sarah possesses two particular alleles associated with a trait. those alleles represent her:

genotype

a person’s observable characteristics are referred to as their:

phenotype

genotype

the genetic makeup for a gene (usually a pair of alleles)

a polymorphism refers to:

different forms of a gene within a population

a single nucleotide polymorphism occurs when:

one nucleotide in a DNA sequence differs from another

quantitative genetics is primarily concerned with:

how genes contribute to dimensional traits

molecular genetics focuses on:

the actual structure and organization of genes

a researcher uses DNA technology to examine thousands of genes to see which contribute to schizophrenia. this researcher is using:

molecular genetics

which pair of chromosomes is considered the sex chromosomes in human?

23rd pair

what did the rat-pup studies demonstrates about genes and environment?

environmental experiences can influence gene expression

what is a gene-environment interaction?

genetic structure of cells that change as a result of a learning experience

why is tha brain and its functions plastic?

they are subject to continual change in response to the environment

the diathesis-stress model

disorder are the result of underlying risk factors combining life stressors that may cause a disorder to emerge

in the diathesis-stress model, a diathesis is:

a genetic vulnerability

in the diathesis-stress model, stress refers to

an environmental trigger

janelle has an inhertied tendency to faint at the sight of blood. her inherited tendency is the:

diathesis

a person with a small genetic vulnerability would generally need:

more environmental stress to develop a disorder

what was the main conclusion of the Caspi et al. study on stress and depression?

genes and stressful experiences interact to influence depression risk

individuals with the SS genotype who experiences severe childhood maltreatment show:

increased risk of adult depression

research following people exposed to hurricanes found that individuals with a vulnerable genetic makeup were less likely to develop PTSD when they had:

strong social support

the reciprocal gene-environment model proposes that

people with a genetic predisposition may help create environments that increase the risk of their disorder

which BEST illustrates the reciprocal gene-environment model?

a person with a genetic tendency toward impulsiveness constantly creates conflicts that increase stress

role of epigentics:

environmental influences affect the expression of certain genes

neurotransmitter that reduces activity across the synapse, inhibiting a range of behaviors and emotions

gamma-aminobutyric acid

neurotransmitter involved in processing of information, coordination of movement, inhibition, and restraint

serotonin

neurotransmitter that is active in the central and peripheral nervous systems controlling heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, among other functions

norepinephrine

neurotransmitter whose generalized function is to activate other neurotransmitters and to aid in exploratory and pleasure-seeking behaviors

dopamine

susceptibility or tendency to develop a disorder

vulnerability

hypothesis that people w/ a genetic predisposition for a disorder may also have a genetic tendency to create environmental risk factors that promote the disorder

gene-environment correlation model

study of the nervous system and its role in behavior, thoughts, and emotions

neuroscience

collection of neural pathways in the central nervous system

brain circuits

space between nerve cells where chemical carriers act to move impulses from one neuron to the next

synaptic cleft

chemical messenger produced by the endocrine glands

hormone

a chemical that crosses the synaptic cleft between nerve cells to transmit impulsed from one neuron to the next

neurotransmitter

chemical substance that increases the activity of a neurotransmitter by imitating its effects

agonists

chemical substance that decreases or blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter

antagonist

chemical substance that produces effects opposite those of a particular neurotransmitter

inverse agonist

action by which a neurotransmitter is quickly drawn back into the discharging neuron after being released into a synaptic cleft

reuptake

amino acid neurotransmitter that excites many different neurons, leading to action

glutamate

condition in which someone feels like they have no control over his or her life

learned helplessness

conditions of memory in which a person cannot recall past events though he or she acts in response to them

implicit memory

enduring period of emotionality

mood

developmental psychopathology principle that a behavior or disorder may have several causes

equifinality

cause activation; activating

excitatory

causing inhibition; supressing

inhibitory

which neurotransmitter appears to be able to reduce anxiety?

gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

which brain system is involved in the regulation of emotional experience and expression, impulse control, and basic drives like the sex drive and aggression?

the limbic system

which amino acid neurotransmitter acts in an exicitatory manner?

glutamate

emotions differ from moods in terms of

their temporal duration

Lazarus proposed that the emotion we experience in a situation is determined by

our appraisal of the situation

women are more likely than men to respond to stress by engaging in

tending and befriending

the observation that several paths lead to the same outcome

equifinality