Biopsychology Unit 4: Motivation, Emotions, and Disorders

Motivation

How we shape and maintain certain behaviors to reach a milestone or goal.

Instinct Theory

Basic resources that we need to live are motivators.

Drive Reduction Theory

Theory that focuses on how biological drives motivate behavior.

Arousal Theory

Theory that suggests we are motivated to maintain an optimal level of arousal.

Hunger

A basic instinct of survival, involving interactions between the stomach, the hormones, and the brain.

Hypothalamus

Specific area in the brain responsible for hunger cues.

Lateral Hypothalamus

Causes feeling of hunger.

Ventromedial Hypothalamus

Causes fullness.

Paraventricular Hypothalamus

Releases hormones to regulate hunger.

Stomach emptiness

Certain nerves in the stomach notice when the stomach is empty and signal hunger cues to the brain.

Satiety

When the stomach extends, indicating fullness, the vagus nerve signals to the brain that we are full.

Caloric Value

The actual nutrients and caloric intake of the food is registered and sent via the splanchnic nerve.

Ghrelin

Hormone in the stomach that triggers hunger.

Leptin

Triggers fullness when high, hunger when low.

Anorexia Nervosa

Patient fails to eat enough to keep a normal body weight, often paired with body dysmorphia.

Bulimia Nervosa

Patient binges on food and later self-induces vomiting to purge the calories gained.

Obesity

Bearing of excessive fat that is dangerous to the patient's health, characterized by a BMI of over 30.

Bipolar Disorder

Characterized by 'ups and downs'; an unstable mood with periods of mania and depression.

Mania

Highly increased self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, and high use of risky pleasurable activities.

Depression

Can be a standalone disorder; about 5% of the US population is clinically depressed.

Emotional Intelligence

The ability to recognize one's own emotional state, as well as the emotional state of others.

Anhedonia

Inability to experience pleasure.

Emotional Regulation

The ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences.

Display Rules

Culturally specific rules regarding which emotions are appropriate to show outwardly.

Schizophrenia

Characterized by large lateral ventricles indicating faulty neurodevelopment.

Prodromal Stage of Schizophrenia

Withdrawal from the outside world occurs.

Active Stage of Schizophrenia

Delusions and hallucinations are present.

Residual Stage of Schizophrenia

Chronic condition where the patient may relapse.

Polygraphs

Inaccurate devices used to determine whether a suspect is lying by measuring sympathetic arousal.

Postpartum Depression

High numbers of women were observed to have been institutionalized for depression around their menstruation periods.

Diagnostic Requirements for Depression

Depressed mood for most of the day, every day.

Suicidal ideation

A major cause for worry is when the patient starts to get better.

Medication for Depression

Work by increasing certain neurotransmitters (DA, EP). Effects are instantaneous.

Placebo Effect in Depression Treatment

In 2010, a meta-analysis yielded results suggesting that majority of effects (80%) were due to placebo.

Neurocircuitry Hypothesis of Depression

According to this theory, the Amygdala overreacts to sadness.

Cognitive Psychotherapy

This treatment poses a lesser risk of relapse but is expensive and long-term.

Electoconvulsive Shock Therapy (ECT)

Typically used for delusional and suicidal patients; works by causing a seizure.

Success Rate of ECT

80% success rate.

Ketamine

Now legal for a nasal spray to be used to treat clinically depressed patients.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Chronic overworrying about everything, likely due to an overactive autonomic nervous system.

Anxiolytics

These drugs bind to receptors in the amygdala to prevent anxiogenics from binding.

GABA

Inhibitory neurotransmitter in the amygdala.

Barbiturates

First compounds introduced in anxiety treatment; problematic due to close ED50 and LD50.

Benzodiazepines

Work by binding to GABA-a; increase binding ability of GABA.

SSRIs

Often prescribed to treat anxiety, as depression and anxiety are often paired.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

May be caused by issues in neurocircuitry.

Dissociative Disorders

Separation from memories, consciousness, reality, typically occurs under extreme stress.

Depersonalization Disorders

Detachment from the environment, often during traumatic situations.

Dissociative Personality Disorder

Formerly multiple personality disorder, highly associated with childhood trauma.

Somatic Disorders

Obsessive fear over one's health.

Hypochondriasis / Illness Anxiety Disorder

Intense fear of being sick, even after medical professionals do not find anything wrong.

Conversion Disorders

Patient possesses a diagnosable symptom, but the cause is not physiological.

Impulse Control Disorders

Patients have an intense urge to harm themselves or others.

Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Sudden, explosive urges to commit aggressive acts.

Kleptomania

Disorder characterized by a strong urge to steal, followed by remorse.

Pyromania

Strong urge to light things on fire, characterized by tension relieved by starting a fire.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Childhood trauma is highly correlated with borderline; characterized by instability.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Lack of awareness for the feelings of other people; correlated with criminals.