Causality, Etiology, and Causal Factors of Abnormal Behavior (Video Notes)

A comprehensive set of question-and-answer flashcards covering etiology, causal factors, diathesis-stress models, biological and psychological viewpoints, and sociocultural influences on abnormal behavior.

What does Etiology refer to in psychology?

The factors or causes responsible for the development of disorders and the study of why disorders occur.

What does psychological etiology study?

The root causes of a psychological disorder and the investigation aimed at resolving it.

Name the three main causal concepts used in etiological analysis.

Necessary causes, sufficient causes, and contributory causes.

What is a distal causal factor?

An early life factor that may contribute to a disorder but does not show its effects until years later.

What is a proximal causal factor?

A factor that operates shortly before the onset of symptoms or disorder.

What are reinforcing contributory causes?

Factors that maintain a maladaptive behavior by reinforcing the symptoms.

What does bidirectionality mean in abnormal behavior?

Causes contribute to the disorder and the disorder or symptoms in turn influence the causes.

What is the Diathesis-Stress Model?

A theory that disorders develop from the interaction of a predisposition (diathesis) and psychosocial stress.

Define diathesis in the Diathesis-Stress Model.

A predisposition or vulnerability toward developing a disorder.

Define stress in the Diathesis-Stress Model.

Demands perceived as exceeding personal resources; psychosocial stressors.

Describe the additive form of the Diathesis-Stress Model.

Diathesis and stress sum together to produce a disorder; severe stress can cause disorder given enough diathesis.

Describe the interactive form of the Diathesis-Stress Model.

Some diathesis must be present for stress to have an effect; stress alone may not cause a disorder.

List four biological factors commonly discussed in mental disorders.

Neurotransmitter/hormonal imbalances, genetic vulnerabilities, temperament, brain dysfunction and neural plasticity.

Name the five major neurotransmitters involved in psychopathology.

Norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, and GABA.

What axis governs the hormonal stress response?

The HPA axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis).

What are the key components of the HPA axis?

Hypothalamus releases CRH, pituitary releases ACTH, adrenal cortex releases cortisol; cortisol provides negative feedback to the hypothalamus.

What is neural plasticity?

The brain's ability to reorganize its structure and function in response to experiences.

What is a genetic vulnerability?

Inherited genetic factors that contribute to vulnerability to a disorder.

What is a polygenic effect?

A disorder influenced by the additive or interactive effects of many genes.

What are genotype–environment correlations?

Genotype influences environmental experiences; includes passive, evocative, and active effects.

Name three methods used to study genetic influences.

Family history (pedigree), twin studies, and adoption studies.

What is linkage analysis?

A method that examines whether disease genes co-segregate with genetic markers in families.

What are association studies in genetics?

Studies comparing genetic markers in groups with and without a disorder to find associations.

What is brain dysfunction and neural plasticity?

Brain lesions/damage related to disorders; neural plasticity is the brain's ability to change with experience.

What is the Developmental Systems Approach?

A bidirectional view where gene activity, neural activity, behavior, and environment influence each other.

What is temperament?

A child’s characteristic ways of reacting and self regulation, influenced by genetics and early experience.

Name the five dimensions of temperament in early childhood.

Fearfulness, irritability/frustration, positive affect, activity level, attentional persistence, effortful control.

Which adult personality dimensions relate to child temperament?

Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Constraint (conscientiousness and agreeableness).

What is Beck’s cognitive triad of depression?

Negative views about the world, the future, and oneself.

What does Attribution Theory explain?

How people explain behavior: internal (dispositional) vs external (situational) attributions.

Name four categories of psychological causal factors.

Early deprivation/trauma, inadequate parenting, marital discord/divorce, maladaptive peer relationships.

What are effects of early deprivation and trauma on development?

Neglect, institutionalization, disturbed attachment, delayed maturation, and behavioral/emotional problems.

What is parental deprivation?

Lack of parental warmth and care leading to behavioral and adjustment problems.

Name the four parenting styles.

Authoritative, Authoritarian, Permissive (Indulgent), Neglectful (Uninvolved).

Describe Authoritative parenting.

High warmth with moderate control; linked to positive social development and secure attachment.

Describe Authoritarian parenting.

Low warmth with high control; associated with conflict and later risk of adjustment problems.

Describe Permissive/Indulgent parenting.

High warmth with low control; results in impulsivity and potential antisocial behavior.

Describe Neglectful/Uninvolved parenting.

Low warmth and low control; insecure attachment and low self-esteem.

What is marital discord and divorce’s impact on children?

Disturbed family structures increase vulnerability; divorce can be beneficial in highly stressful or abusive marriages.

What is domestic violence?

Use of unprovoked force to damage a family member; a major risk to mental health.

What are maladaptive peer relationships?

Bullying, cyberbullying, and issues with popularity leading to anxiety, depression, and other problems.

What is the difference between universal and culture-specific symptoms?

Some disturbances are universal; others vary by culture; culture shapes symptom expression.

What are undercontrolled and overcontrolled behaviors in cultural contexts?

Undercontrolled: aggression and disobedience; Overcontrolled: shyness and anxiety; cultures differ in tolerance.

Name some culture-bound syndromes.

Amok, Arctic Hysteria, Ataque de Nervios, Brain Fag, Mal de Ojo, Windigo among others.

How does low socioeconomic status relate to mental health?

Lower SES is linked to higher incidence of many disorders due to stress, stigma, and limited access to care.

What is the impact of unemployment on mental health?

Economic hardship and uncertainty raise risk for depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms.

How do prejudice and discrimination affect mental health?

Lower self-esteem and higher rates of depression due to stigma and bias against minority groups.

What is the effect of social change and uncertainty on mental health?

Wars, terrorism, migration and other changes increase stress and risk of psychopathology.

What are urban stressors and homelessness related to psychopathology?

Urban violence and homelessness increase anxiety, depression, PTSD and other disorders.

What roles do the HPT and HPA axes play in psychopathology?

HPT axis links hypothalamus, pituitary, and thyroid; imbalances affect mood and anxiety; HPA axis governs stress responses via CRH, ACTH, and cortisol.

What is the genotype versus phenotype concept?

Genotype is the total genetic endowment; phenotype is observed traits shaped by genotype and environment.

What are genotype–environment correlations?

Genotype influences environmental experiences; can be passive, evocative, or active.

What is the role of the ego in Freudian theory?

The ego is the executive mediator using the reality principle and defense mechanisms to manage anxiety.

What are defense mechanisms?

Unconscious strategies to reduce anxiety, such as denial, projection, repression, rationalization, and sublimation.

What are Freud’s psychosexual stages and their approximate ages?

Oral (birth to 18 months), Anal (18 months to 3 years), Phallic/Oedipal (3–6 years), Latency (6–12 years), Genital (13–20 years).

What is ego psychology focused on?

Ego functioning and the capacity to use appropriate defense mechanisms; managing delay of gratification.

What is Object Relations Theory?

Focus on internalized representations of others and objects and how these images influence relationships.

What is introjection in Object Relations Theory?

Incorporating characteristics of others into one’s own personality.

What is interpersonal perspective in psychology?

Emphasizes social determinants and relationships; theories by Adler, Horney, Erikson, Bowlby.

What is Social Learning Theory?

Behavior is learned by observing and imitating role models and by reinforcement.