Ch. 2 - Etiology

psychopathology = multidimensional model

→ consists of developmental, behavioral, social/cultural, emotional & biological factors

Biological

• genetics (genes influence psychopathology as some disorders have high/low heritability)

  • polygenic skills due to genes x environment

  • identification of genetic + environmental factors:

    • diathesis-stress model

      

    • gene-environment correlation OR reciprocal gene-environment model

      

• neuroscience (CNS, PNS → somatic + ANS* → sym + parasym)

  • brain structures (brain stem, hindbrain, midbrain, limbic system, thala + hypothala, forebrain, cerebral cortex)

  • neuron anatomy

    

  • neurotransmitters - chemical messengers that allow nerve cells to communicate in the synapse (space between neurons)

    • agonist - molecule that mimic/increase neurotransmitter effects (e.g. albuterol - asthma inhaler)

    • antagonist - molecule that inhibit/block neurotransmitter effects (e.g. beta blockers - heart medication)

    • reuptake inhibitor - blocks neurotransmitter from returning to axon → pooling in synaptic cleft

    • antagonist + reuptake inhibitor - blocks neurotransmitter from dendrite & axon

*endocrine works w/ this; HPA axis (hypo, pituitary, adrenal glands) show up often in disorders

Behavioral

two categories: respondent (controlled by antecedent stimuli - reflex, involuntary) & operant (controlled + selected by consequences after behavior - voluntary, learned)

2 process theory: anxiety increase via repetitive thoughts/impulses/images, anxiety “decrease” via repetitive actions in response to obsessions (e.g. obsessed with cleanliness → compulsively wash hands)

observational/social learning - behavior of a model witnessed by observer → observer behavior changes (can be involved in both classical & operant conditioning)

noncontingent punishment: bad event that occurs to someone even if they didn’t influence their exposure to it

→ can lead to learned helplessness (depression)

• suppression of behavior and emotional engagement

Emotional

emotions = psychological states (includes subjective/physiological/behavioral elements)

emotional dysregulation + behavior = can have symptoms of

• panic disorder

• mania

• bipolar disorder

• depression

• ASD & ADHD

Developmental

no disorder is static/stays the same over time !!

important to consider all experiences/influences (e.g. early parenting styles, prenatal experiences, life stressors, trauma)

• gender roles

  • exists in rates of mood disorders (e.g. two thirds w/ major depression are women)

  • not the norm for men to show/admit emotions (and are likely to self-medicate more)

Social/Cultural

• cultural influences

  • disorders from western countries vs developing countries

  • culture specific disorders

• social relationships (more connections = less symptoms)

• city vs country life

  • living in city = likelier to develop schizophrenia

• poverty/oppression/integration (greater in indigenous/immigrant populations)

• stigma (loss of social/financial assistance → less likely to get help)

the principle of equifinality: same end result can be reached from different paths & starting points