Transcript An Integrative Approach to Psychopathology

An Integrative Approach to
Psychopathology
Chapter 2
Abnormal Psychology
Multidimensional Integrative
Approach
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Psychopathology:
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Biological roots
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Psychological roots
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Socio-cultural roots
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As opposed to one dimensional perspectives
Influences
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Behavioral: emotions
become associated with
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Social: familial/peer
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Developmental:
situations
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Biological: inherited
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Emotional: influences
traits/genetic
contributions
how we think about and
respond to situations
influences, cultural
context
“critical periods”- we
may be particularly
susceptible due to
developmental timing
Genetic Contributions to
Psychopathology
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Traits are influenced by our genetic
endowment
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Polygenetic inheritance: psychological
characteristics are influenced by many
genes, which interact with the
environment; each gene has a very
small effect
Genetic Contributions to
Psychopathology
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Environmental contexts and experiences
determine whether or not genes are
expressed or “turned on”
Study of Genes and Behavior
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Twin studies:
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Comparing heritability estimates between
identical and fraternal twins
Schizophrenia: if one identical twin has the
disorder, the other twin has approximately
a 50% chance of developing it (similar or
lower in other disorders)
Brain Plasticity
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Research: the structure and functioning
of the brain is continually shaped by
experience
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Early childhood: deprivation
Adulthood: exposure to stress/trauma;
effects of therapy/learning, etc.
Diathesis-Stress Model
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We inherit tendencies toward particular
behavioral traits which may become
activated during times of stress
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Particular life events may trigger the
symptoms of a disorder
Diathesis-Stress Model
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Example:
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Individual with a genetic vulnerability, a
history of childhood abuse, and current
stress in adulthood
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These factors interact to influence the
development of symptoms
Genes and Environments
Influence Each Other
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Our genetic vulnerability may increase the
chance that we will experience stress
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Example: we may have a personality
trait/temperament that draws us toward stressful
environments and relationships, which lead to
depression
Niche-picking: genes may lead us to “select”
certain environments
Recent Research:
Genetic Contributions
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Genetic contributions to disorders may
be overstated in the research
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Some undermine the importance of
environments in the expression of genes
The critical role of early environments and
experiences
Summarizing Genetic
Contributions
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Genes must always be understood in
combination with environments (nature
+ nurture)
Maladaptive environments may impact
us more or less depending on our
genetic inheritance
The Neuron
Fig. 3.8
Understanding Neurons
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140 billion neurons in the brain
Transmit information; chemical and
electrical events
Neurotransmitters: chemicals
affecting the brain and body; implicated
in psychopathology
Neurotransmitters
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An increasingly complex picture
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Not just “too much or too little”- neurotransmitters
affect information processing
Psychotropic medications may block or inhibit
the production of neurotransmitters, or may
increase production
Overview: Neurotransmitters
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GABA (inhibitory): affects information
transmission- GABA tends to reduce
anxiety- anti-anxiety meds allow more
GABA to attach to receptors
Serotonin: information processing and
mood regulation- different effects
depending on the area of the brain
Overview: Neurotransmitters
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Dopamine: has a general effect, allowing
other neurotransmitters to function;
associated with pleasure seeking; revision to
the “dopamine hypothesis”
Norepinephrine: does not appear to directly
link to psychopathology, but works with other
neurotransmitters; associated with fear
responses, blood pressure, and heart rate
Neurotransmitters
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New hypotheses and findings:
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Genetic contributions may affect patterns of
neurotransmitter activity, which may influence
personality characteristics and behaviors
Environments and experiences can shape and
change neurotransmitter activity over time- brain
scans with patients receiving therapy
Neurotransmitters
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Placebo effect:
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The brain circuits/neurotransmitter activity
change based on our expectations
Brain Changes- Learning and
Experience
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Learning/experience influences the structure
of the neurons and the number of receptors
Studies:
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Active vs. inactive rats- active rats have more
neural connections and more active brains
Deprivation/enrichment: brain scans of children
Dendritic Spreading
Fig. 3.11
Lessons from Behavioral and
Cognitive Science
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The manner in which we process
information shapes the learning and
maintenance of certain behaviors
Events become “paired” and associated
with each other
Lessons from Behavioral and
Cognitive Science
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Learned Helplessness: Seligman
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When we give up and stop trying to cope
In response to stress that we perceive as
beyond our control
Based on our attributions
New Research:
Learned Optimism
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Seligman- we function better
psychologically and physically when we
have hope, positive beliefs about
ourselves, and positive attitudes
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The mind-body connection
Emotions
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Emotions contribute to the development
of psychopathology
Alarm reactions: fight or flight
responses
Our emotional appraisals of a situation
shape our reactions (behaviors)
Emotions
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Research on suppression: activates the
sympathetic nervous system
(responsible for fight or flight
responses)
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Suppression is linked with psychopathology
The Role of Culture
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Culture shapes what we learn to fear,
expect, believe, etc.
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Example: case studies of Voodoo death
Cultures have difference constructions of
psychopathology
The Role of Culture
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Culture shapes our constructions of
gender
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Perspectives on gender shape what we find
socially acceptable
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Example: men and experiences of fear and
emotion; women and body image
Social Relationships and
Mental Health
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Research: the experience of social
support affects life expectancy
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Physical and mental health is influenced by
the quality and extent of our social
relationships
Research: having a pet has been shown to
lower heart rate and blood pressure
The Role of Social Stigma
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The stigma of labels can affect
individuals affected by mental health
problems
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Beliefs about moral weakness and
unpredictability/aggression
Developmental Considerations
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Developmental stages and prior
experience shapes the experience of
psychopathology
Equifinality: the notion that there are
multiple pathways and interacting
factors that influence the development
of psychopathology
Conclusions
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New research findings are changing our
understanding of psychopathology
A multidimensional perspective is
needed to understand the development
of psychological disorder