Approaches to Psychopathology

One-Dimensional Model

Attributes psychopathology to a single cause, such as a purely biological or psychological factor.

Multidimensional Model

Considers the interplay of various factors, including biological, psychological, emotional, social, and developmental influences.

Polygenic Inheritance

Most psychological disorders result from the influence of multiple genes rather than a single gene defect

Diathesis-Stress Model

• This psychological theory explains how a person's genetic makeup (diathesis) and life experiences (stress) interact to cause mental disorders. It's also known as the vulnerability-stress model.

• It suggests people have a genetic predisposition (diathesis) for mental illness.

Diathesis

A person's genetic or biological vulnerability to a mental illness

Stress

Physical or emotional stress that can negatively impact a person

Protective Factors

_____ That can help prevent a person from developing a mental illness.

Neural Plasticity

The brain's ability to change and adapt throughout life in response to experiences, learning, injury, or environmental influences.

Developmental Plasticity

Significant structural and functional brain changes during early development.

Synaptic pruning

unused connections are eliminated while frequently used ones are strengthened.

Adaptive Plasticity

The brain reorganizes in response to learning, environmental changes, or damage.

Experience-Dependent Plasticity

Brain structure and function can change based on life experiences, like trauma or stress.

Maladaptive Plasticity

Not all neural changes are beneficial; some can contribute to psychological disorders.

dopaminergic system

brain pathways using dopamine

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers regulating mood, behavior, and cognition.

Serotonin

Low levels linked to depression and impulsivity.

Dopamine

Imbalances associated with schizophrenia and addiction

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

Low levels contribute to anxiety disorders.

Norepinephrine

Involved in stress and panic responses.

Hormonal Imbalances

Occur when the body has too much or too little of one or more hormones.

HPA (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) Axis

controls the stress response.

Psychodynamic Perspective

Originating from Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, this perspective emphasizes unconscious conflicts, early childhood experiences, and internal psychological forces in shaping behavior.

Unconscious Mind

Most thoughts, desires, and memories are hidden from conscious awareness but influence behavior

Id (pleasure principle)

Instinctual drives and desires (e.g., aggression, sex).

Ego (reality principle)

Mediates between the id's demands and the constraints of reality.

Superego (morality principle)

Internalized moral standards and ideals.

Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious strategies used by the ego to reduce anxiety (e.g., repression, denial, projection).

Psychosexual Stages of Development

Childhood experiences in oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital stages shape personality and later behavior.

Behavioral Perspective

Influenced by John Watson, Ivan Pavlov, and B.F. Skinner, this perspective focuses on observable behavior and learning processes

Classical Conditioning

A neutral stimulus (bell) becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus (food) to elicit a conditioned response (salivation to bell alone).

Positive Reinforcement (adding a reward)

Child praised for good behavior

Negative Reinforcement (removing discomfort)

painkillers for a headache.

Punishment

Decreases unwanted behavior