Addiction, Developmental Disorders, Anxiety, and Affective Disorders (Psych 2113 Exam 4)

Negative Reinforcement Theory

Increases the target’s behavior by taking away something aversive (bad)

Positive Reinforcement Theory

Increases the target’s behavior by adding something desirable (good)

Mesolimbic Dopamine Pathway

It is crucial for reinforcing behaviors by releasing dopamine in response to rewards like food, love-making, and social interaction

Mesolimbic Dopamine Pathway Structures

Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA): Produces dopamine / Nucleus Accumbens (NAc): Involved in motivation/reward processing

Dorsal Striatum

A brain structure in the Basal Ganglia that acts as the “habit center” which is responsible for turning voluntary drug-seeking behaviors into compulsive drug-taking behaviors

Cerebral Palsy

A group of permanent motor disorders caused by brain damage, resulting in impaired movement, posture, and muscle stiffness

Spastic Diplegia

A common, specific type of spastic CP characterized by high muscle tone (hypertonia) in the legs, leading to stiffness, limited mobility, and sometimes a scissor-like gait

Contributors to the Development of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Prenatal Factors, Genetic Contributions, Parents of older age, Environmental Factors, Neurobiological Factors

Differences In The Brain Of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Differences in the development of the amygdala (emotion), corpus callosum (connectivity), and cerebral cortex

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

A common, persistent neurodevelopmental disorder defined by a, typically lifelong, pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity that interferes with daily functioning or development (Treatment: Stimulants)

Electroconvulsive Therapy

A medical treatment for severe mental health conditions, such as major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, that have not responded to other treatments

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Medication used in psychology and psychiatry to treat depression, anxiety, and other disorders by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. They act by inhibiting the reuptake (reabsorption) of serotonin into neurons, allowing more neurotransmitters to remain in the synaptic gap to improve mood regulation.

Mixed Reuptake Inhibitors

A class of psychoactive drugs that increase the levels of multiple neurotransmitters in the brain by preventing their reabsorption (reuptake) back into nerve cells.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

A class of, generally, the first invented antidepressant medications that inhibit the monoamine oxidase enzyme, preventing the breakdown of brain neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

Tricyclic Antidepressants

A class of first-generation, psychoactive medications primarily used to treat depression by increasing norepinephrine and serotonin levels in the brain

Bipolar I Disorder

Severe manic episodes (often requiring hospitalization) and major depression

Bipolar II Disorder

Involves alternating hypomania (less intense highs) and deep depression, often with more chronic depressive episodes

Blood-Injection-Injury Phobia

Irrational fear of blood, injury, or medical injections/procedures

Situational Phobia

Fear of specific situations (e.g., flying, driving, elevators, tunnels)

Natural Environment Phobia

Fear of environmental elements (e.g., heights, storms, water)

Animal Phobia

Fear of animals or insects (e.g., snakes, spiders, dogs)

Other Phobias

Various other fears (e.g., vomiting, choking, loud noises)

Agoraphobia

Fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or impossible, such as open spaces, public transportation, or crowds, often leading to becoming homebound