Adult Psychopathology - Ch. 2: Biological Model

The Biological Model

A perspective of mental disorder that assumes that mental states, emotions, and behaviors arise from brain functions and processes

Genotype

The genetic composition of an individual that is fixed at birth and received from one’s parents.

Phenotype

Observable characteristics of an individual

Behavior Genetics

A research specialty that evaluates genetic and environmental influences on the development of behavior.

Heritability

The amount of variation in a phenotype attributed to genetic factors, often expressed as a number ranging between 1 and 0.

Molecular Genetics

Analysis of DNA to identify links between specific genetic material and mental disorders.

Central Nervous System

The brain and spinal cord, which are necessary to process information from our sensory organs and prompt our body into action if necessary.

Peripheral Nervous System

The somatic and autonomic nervous system controls muscles and voluntary movement, impacts the cardiovascular and endocrine systems, assists with digestion, and regulates body temperature.

Neurons

The basic unit of the nervous system that comprises a cell body, dendrites, axons, and terminal buttons.

Synapse

A small gap between ends of neurons

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that allow a nerve impulse to cross the synapse.

Reuptake

The feedback mechanism that informs a neuron about the amount of neurotransmitter needed to be released in the future.

Cerebral Cortex

Gray matter of the brain that covers almost all of each hemisphere

Frontal Lobe

The area in front of the brain that is responsible for moving, planning, organizing, inhibiting behavior, and decision-making.

Parietal Lobe

The area of the brain behind the frontal lobe that is associated with the sensation of touch.

Temporal Lobe

The middle area of the brain associated with auditory discrimination.

Occipital Lobe

The area of the brain behind the parietal and temporal and associated with vision.

Limbic System

An area of the brain in the forebrain that regulates emotions and impulses and is responsible for basic drives such as thirst, sex, and aggression.

Basal Ganglia

Brain structure that controls posture and motor activity.

Thalamus

A structure within the forebrain that relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

A region of the brain below the thalamus that influences body temperature, food intake, sleep, and sex drive.

Limbic System

Contains the hippocampus, cingulate gyrus, septum, and amygdala.

Forebrain

Consists of the limbic system, thalamus, hypothalamus, and the basal ganglia

Midbrain

Consists of the thalamus, hypothalamus, and reticular activating system.

Reticular Activating System

Involved in arousal and stress or tension

Hindbrain

Consists of the medulla, pons, and cerebellum. Plays in breathing, heartbeat, digestion, and motor coordination.