Chapter 2 An Integrative Approach to Psychopathology
Jan 01, 2016
Chapter 2
An Integrative Approach to Psychopathology
Models of Approach
OOne-Dimensional ModelsOSingle cause, operating in
isolationO Ignores critical information
OMultidimensional ModelsOSystemicOSeveral independent
inputs that become interdependent
OCauses cannot be considered out of context
Components of Multidimensional Models
OBiological Factors OBehavioral FactorsOCognitive FactorsOEmotional InfluencesOSocial FactorsODevelopmental FactorsOAll of these interact
interdependently
Biology: The Influence of Genes
What are genes?◦ Functional sections of
DNA located on chromosomes
How do they influence our risk for psychopathology?◦ Increase or decrease
risk for psychopathology Polygenetic influences
Multiple genes interact
◦ Often interact with environmental factors Example: nutrition and
height
The Study of Genes and Behavior Quantitative genetics
accounts for the effects of several genes on a phenotype◦ Estimates “heritability,”
but does not involve measuring genes Relies on twin-studies,
mostly
Molecular genetics accounts for the influence of specific genes ◦ Involves measuring
specific genes and determining their specific influence DNA collected via saliva,
blood, or cheek cells
How Else Do Genes Contribute to Psychopathology?
Diathesis-Stress model:◦ Diathesis:
Inherited tendency to express traits/behaviors Usually genetic
◦ Stress: Life events or contextual variables Environmental
◦ Effects of stress (environment) on psychopathology depend on one’s diathesis (genes) Genes can make a person more or less susceptible to negative effects of environment
The Diathesis-Stress Model: Illustration
How Else Do Genes Contribute to Psychopathology?
Epigenetics: Environments affect gene expressionOActivation of dormant genesOhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Fj4d-9Jgl6g
Biology: Neuroscience and Psychopathology
OThe Field of NeuroscienceOThe role of the nervous system in
disease and behavior
OHuman Nervous System (2 Branches)OCNS
OBrain and spinal cordOPNS
OSomatic and autonomic branches
Overview: Neuroscience and Brain Structure
OTwo main parts:OBrain stem – basic functionsOForebrain –higher cognition
Divisions of the Brain StemOHindbrain
OMedulla – Heart rate, blood pressure, respiration
OPons – Regulates sleep stagesOCerebellum –physical coordination
OMidbrainOCoordinates movement with sensory
inputOContains parts of the reticular
activating system (RAS)
Brain Stem and Forebrain Connections
O Thalamus and hypothalamusO Relays between brain stem and forebrainO Behavioral and emotional regulation
O Limbic systemO Emotions, basic drives, impulse controlO Strong links with psychopathology
O Basal gangliaO Motor activity
O http://www.g2conline.org/?gclid=CIa4pvrL47YCFQNlMgodOG0ACw
Divisions of the Forebrain
OForebrain (Cerebral Cortex)OMost sensory, emotional, and
cognitive processing
OTwo specialized hemispheresOLeft – verbal, math, logicORight – perceptual
Neuroscience and the Brain Structure
O Lobes of the Cerebral CortexO Frontal
OThinking and reasoning abilities, memory
O Temporal OSight and sound recognition, long-term
memory storage
O Parietal OTouch recognition
O Occipital OIntegrates visual input
Major Structures of the Brain
Neuroscience: The Peripheral Nervous System
OPNS - SomaticOVoluntary muscles and movement
OPNS - AutonomicOSympathetic (activating)
OE.g., increase heart rateOParasympathetic (normalizing)
OE.g., decrease heart rateOBoth divisions regulate:
OCardiovascular system/body temperature
OEndocrine system/digestion
Neuroscience: The Peripheral Nervous System
O The Endocrine System O Hormones
O The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenalcortical Axis (HPA axis)O Integration of endocrine
and nervous system
O Involved in stress response e.g., fight or flight
Neurons The Neuron (aka nerve cells)- basic
building block of nervous system◦ Soma◦ Dendrites ◦ Axon◦ Axon terminals◦ Synaptic cleft
Function: Electrical Communication: Chemical
◦ Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters
O Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) GABA – inhibitoryO Implicated in anxiety and its treatment
OBenzodiazepines are tranquilizers that act as GABA agonists.OAgonist vs. antagonist.
Ohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pfG6yHAQ5U
O NorepinephrineO Respiration, reactions, alarm responseO Implicated in panic
Neurotransmitters
OSerotoninORegulates behavior, moods, thought
processesO Implicated in depression and many
other forms of psychopathology
ODopamineO Implicated in schizophreniaOAlso associated with reward
processing and impulsivity
Neurotransmitters
Medication Effects on Serotonin
Neuroscience and Psychopathology
OPsychosocial influences on the brainOPsychotherapy and functional
normalization in OCD
Cognitive ApproachesOcognitive approaches: identification
and modification of maladaptive thoughts• Aaron Beck (cognitive therapy)• Albert Ellis (rational emotive behavior
therapy)
Situation
Emotions
Thoughts
Behavior
OLearned helplessness (Seligman)O Implicated in depression and anxietyORelates to one’s belief that they are
not in control
Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences