Psych 430 Disorders Chapter 2

What are the Four D's used to assess abnormal behavior?

Deviance, Distress, Dysfunction, Danger

What does 'Deviance' refer to in the context of abnormal psychology?

Behavior that deviates from cultural norms.

What does 'Distress' indicate in assessing abnormal behavior?

The presence of anxiety or emotional suffering.

What does 'Dysfunction' mean in the context of mental disorders?

Impairment in daily functioning.

What does 'Danger' refer to when evaluating abnormal behavior?

An imminent risk to self or others.

Is it necessary to meet all Four D's to diagnose a disorder?

No, if one is severe enough, it can warrant a diagnosis.

What is 'Etiology' in psychology?

The cause of a disorder

- domains of life that contribute to an onset of a disorder

What characterizes one-dimensional models of etiology?

A single linear cause operating in isolation, often oversimplified.

What characterizes multidimensional models in psychopathology?

Several independent inputs that become interdependent

- causes cannot be considered out of context

- better than one dimensional models yet still not complete

List the components of multidimensional models.

Biological, Behavioral, Cognitive, Emotional, Social and Cultural, Developmental factors.

What are biological factors in the context of psychopathology?

Genetics, neurotransmitters, the central and peripheral nervous system, neurotransmitters

What does heritability refer to?

The proportion of variance in traits attributed to genetics.

What is the Diathesis-Stress Model?

A model explaining that disorders activate from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental stressors

- you can have a genetic predisposition to develop a disorder but never meet diagnostic criteria due to absence of certain environmental stressors / can not have a genetic predisposition and still develop a disorder

- everything exists on a continuum, there is no equation to predict the development of a disorder

What does 'Diathesis' mean?

An inherited tendency/vulnerability to express traits or behaviors.

What role does 'Stress' play in the Diathesis-Stress Model?

Life events or contextual variables that may activate a predisposition.

What is the Gene-Environment Correlation Model?

A model where genes influence the environments individuals create or seek

- genes shape how we create our environments

Example of Gene-Environment Correlation Model

You have a genetic predisposition for responding intensely to the sight of blood and also have a genetic predisposition to risk/thrill seeking behaviours -> leading you to be in environments where you see blood and react to it intensely more often -> leads to a blood injury injection phobia disorder

How can genetic predispositions affect behavior?

They can increase the likelihood of engaging in certain activities or seeking specific situations.

What does the term 'cross-fostering studies' refer to?

Studies that show how environment can influence genetically predisposed traits - rats genetically predisposed to stress but raised by calm mothers will grow to be calm

- especially impactful in early development

What impact does early development have on behavior according to cross-fostering studies?

Early environment can significantly shape behavior, even in genetically predisposed individuals.

What is an example of a genetic predisposition leading to a disorder?

Blood injury injection phobia, influenced by genetic predisposition for thrill-seeking.

What does it mean when we say outcomes are not fully determined by genes?

Environmental factors also play a crucial role in shaping outcomes - stress can be the activating factor in a disorder

What is epigenetics?

The study of how DNA expression is affected by the environment, influencing development and life experiences.

What is intergenerational trauma?

The transmission of the effects of trauma across generations, impacting social, psychological, and epigenetic well-being.

What is the CNS?

Central Nervous System, which includes the brain and spinal cord.

What is the PNS?

Peripheral Nervous System, which includes somatic and autonomic systems.

What are neurons?

Cells that transmit signals in the nervous system, consisting of a soma, dendrites, axon, and terminal buttons.

What is the role of dendrites?

They receive signals from other neurons.

What is the function of the axon?

To send signals away from the neuron.

What is the synaptic cleft?

The space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the post-synaptic neuron

What is action potential?

An all-or-none electrical signal that travels down the axon, reaching a point of no return

- has a refractory period after firing in which it cannot fire again

What are neurotransmitters?

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across the synaptic cleft.

Increased GABA is associated with decreased

Anxiety

What is the impact of low serotonin (5HT) levels?

Increased depression, aggression, and impulsivity.

What is the role of norepinephrine?

It has a broad impact on behavior and is related to panic, though not directly linked to specific behaviors.

What is dopamine associated with?

Increased pleasure and excitement; too much is linked to schizophrenia, while too little is linked to Parkinson's disease.

What are psychotropic medications?

Medications used to treat mental health disorders, including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics.

What is ECT?

Electroconvulsive therapy, a treatment for severe depression.

What is the somatic nervous system responsible for?

Voluntary muscles and movement.

What is the autonomic nervous system?

The part of the PNS that controls involuntary actions, divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.h

What does the sympathetic nervous system do?

Activates the fight or flight response, increasing heart rate and dilating pupils.

What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?

Normalizes bodily functions and promotes relaxation.

What are negative attributions?

They can lead to automatic negative thoughts that affect overall well-being

- brains are constantly generating hypothesis to understand our world

- your interpretation of a situation is what makes you feel upset rather than the situation itself

Give an example of a negative attribution.

Waving to someone who doesn't wave back may lead you believe they ignored you on purpose - leading to feelings of rejection, embarrassment, sadness, anger

What does your interpretation of a situation influence?

Your feelings about that situation.

What is learned helplessness?

A condition where individuals or animals feel they have no control over their environment/situation and give up

- they learn their actions have no effect on their circumstances and become helpless

What experiment is associated with learned helplessness?

The dog partition experiment.

Why do individuals perceptions of control have to do with depression?

Learned hopelessness - if people learn over time they are not able to change their circumstances they become depressed

How can behaviors impact emotions?

Behaviors can fuel emotions; for example, listening to energizing music can enhance motivation

What is behavioral activation?

Engaging in behaviors that counteract depression, such as socializing or exercising.

What is modeling in social learning?

Learning by observing someone similar to oneself (a model)

How does modelling theory show the importance of representation?

If you aren't able to see someone who represents you (a model) doing something you want to achieve, you may have a harder time feeling capable of achieving similar goals

What did Bandura's Bobo doll study demonstrate?

Children can learn/change their behaviours through observation without direct punishment or reinforcement - contingent on perceptions of similarity to the model they are observing (Ex. Seeing an adult get punished is less effective than seeing another child)

What is the 'Broaden and Build' hypothesis?

Positive emotions expand our emotional capabilities and options for response - provides us with alternative ways for navigating things in our thought-action repertoire

What is the fight or flight response?

A physiological reaction that prepares the body to either confront or flee from a threat.

What is negative reciprocity in emotional responses?

Responding aggressively after being provoked, which can escalate conflicts.

What does comorbidity refer to in psychology?

The presence of two or more disorders or conditions in the same individual Ex. Veterans with PTSD often had comorbid alcoholism

How can cultural influences affect emotional expression?

Different cultures have varying norms for expressing emotions and seeking help.

What is altruistic suicide?

Ending one's life to improve the lives of others, often seen in collectivist cultures.

What are gender effects in emotional expression?

Men may express anger more freely, while women may be more accepted in expressing sadness or fear.

What is the impact of low social contact on health?

It is associated with higher mortality rates, increased psychopathology, and lower life expectancy - mediated by meaning and perception (if you don't mind low social contact, you are okay)

What does equifinality mean in psychology?

Different life circumstances can lead to the same psychological outcomes.

How does stigma affect mental health?

It can limit help-seeking behaviors and perpetuate cycles of pathology.

What is the role of perception in social support?

Feeling satisfied with social support can mitigate negative experiences, regardless of the actual number of contacts.

What are the components of emotion?

Basic patterns of emotional behavior that can be influenced by various factors.

How does biological maturation affect depression?

Depression manifests differently in children compared to adults, with some disorders being age-specific.

What is the significance of cultural acceptance of emotional expression?

Some cultures are less accepting of emotional expression, particularly in men, affecting coping strategies.

What is the relationship between behavior and emotion?

Behaviors can be modified intentionally to impact emotional states positively.

What is the Stroop task?

it takes longer to name the color a word is printed in when the word is the name of a competing color - the meaning of the word interferes with the ability to process colour information

- people with certain disorders may be slower to name the colour based on the word shown