501 E High St 3

Understanding Etiology in Psychopathology

• Definition of Etiology: Origin of disorder or disease; crucial in understanding psychopathology to inform treatment options.

• Historical Context: Different explanations have emerged over time regarding psychopathology, some leading to harmful mistreatment.

• Cultural Influence: Cultural beliefs and context affect therapy and understanding of psychopathology.

Theories in Psychotherapy

• Theoretical Foundations: Psychotherapy is rooted in various theories; knowing these is essential for exam preparation.

• Interaction of Factors: Focus on interaction models such as the diathesis-stress model and biopsychosocial model for understanding treatment strategies.

ADHD and Biological Determination

• ADHD Description: Considered a neurodevelopmental disorder with biological bases; present from birth and highly influenced by genetics.

• Genetic Factors: High heritability estimates (~0.8) suggest strong genetic predisposition; parental influence and family history are significant.

• Role of Neurotransmitters: Dopamine plays a key role in attention and motivation; medications aim to enhance dopamine function.

Treatment Approaches for ADHD

• Standard of Care: Best practices include both medication and psychological interventions, tailored to age:

  • Children: Focus on behavior modification techniques that use reinforcement.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Becomes more prevalent as the child matures.

• Parenting Strategies: Critical in structuring the environment to assist ADHD children; support from parents enhances outcomes.

• Need for Exercise: Regular physical activity is essential; lack of playtime negatively impacts ADHD symptoms.

• Socioeconomic Factors: Economic status influences access to care and treatment options; treats ADHD's external factors including family stressors and divorce.

Research Methodologies in Psychopathology

• Types of Research Questions: Main focus on etiology and treatment solutions for psychopathologies; includes various research designs.

• Observational Designs: Involves no manipulation of variables, focusing on observing participants; includes case studies and self-report data.

• Case Studies: Intensive analysis of individuals; useful for rare conditions but lacks generalizability.

• Correlational Studies: Examine relationships between variables; no manipulation; correlations expressed as coefficients ranging from -1 to 1.

• Spurious Correlations: Misleading associations caused by unmeasured third variables (e.g., age as a confounding variable).

Experimental Designs and RCTs

• Experimental Designs: Involves manipulation of the independent variable (IV) to measure the effect on the dependent variable (DV).

• RCTs (Randomized Clinical Trials): Ideal for establishing causal relationships but may lack external validity due to strict eligibility criteria.

• Longitudinal Designs: Assesses changes over time; ideal for treatment outcomes, provides insights on causality and temporal relationships.

• Cross-Sectional Studies: Assesses variables at one point in time; useful but limited in drawing causal inferences.

Meta-Analysis and Behavioral Genetics

• Meta-Analysis: Combines data from multiple studies to evaluate treatment effectiveness across large populations.

• Behavioral Genetics: Examines the influence of shared and non-shared environments on behavior, often using family, twin, and adoption studies to analyze genetics and environment interactions.

Conclusion: Research Limitations and Future Directions

• Limitations of Various Methods: Each research design has strengths and weaknesses; understanding these is vital for interpreting results responsibly.

• Need for Nuanced Understanding: Both individual and aggregate data are essential in psychotherapeutic settings; challenge remains in establishing causality due to ethical considerations.

• Awareness of Misrepresentation in Research: Importance of critically evaluating media portrayals of psychological research findings to avoid misconceptions.