Unit 3 An Integrative Approach to Psychopathology Dr. Angie Whalen Kaplan University 1.

Unit 3An Integrative Approach to Psychopathology

Dr. Angie WhalenKaplan University

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Agenda•Seminar Participation

•Historical Conceptions of Abnormal Behavior

• Integrated Approach to Psychopathology

•Conclusions & Questions

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Historical Conceptions of Abnormal Behavior

•Three dominant traditions▫Supernatural▫Biological▫Psychological

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One-Dimensional vs. Multidimensional Models

•One-dimensional models▫Explain behavior in terms of a single cause▫Could mean a paradigm, school, or conceptual

approach▫Tendency to ignore information from other areas

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One-Dimensional vs. Multidimensional Models (continued)

•Multidimensional models▫Interdisciplinary, eclectic, and integrative▫“System” of influences that cause and maintain

suffering▫Draws upon information from several sources▫Abnormal behavior results from multiple

influences

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Multidimensional Models of Abnormal Behavior•Major influences▫Biological ▫Behavioral▫Emotional▫Social & cultural▫Developmental

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Genetic Contributions to Psychopathology•Phenotype vs. genotype•Nature of genes▫Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) – the double helix▫23 pairs of chromosomes▫Dominant vs. recessive genes▫Development and behavior is often polygenetic

•Genetic contribution to psychopathology

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The Interaction of Genetic and Environmental Effects•Eric Kandel and gene-environment interactions•The diathesis-stress model•Reciprocal gene-environment model•Non-genomic inheritance of behavior▫Genes are not the whole story▫Environmental influences may override genetics

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Neuroscience Contributions to Psychopathology•The field of neuroscience▫The role of the nervous system in disease and

behavior•Branches of human nervous system▫The central nervous system (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord▫The peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Somatic and autonomic branches

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Neuroscience and the Central Nervous System •The neuron•Neurons operate electrically, but communicate

chemically▫Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers

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Overview: Neuroscience and Brain Structure •Two main parts▫Brainstem and forebrain

•Three main divisions▫Hindbrain▫Midbrain▫Forebrain

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Neuroscience and Brain Structure•Lobes of cerebral cortex•Limbic system•Somatic branch of PNS•Autonomic branch of the PNS•The endocrine system•The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenalcortical axis

(HPA axis)

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Neuroscience: Functions of Main Types of Neurotransmitters

•Functions of neurotransmitters▫Agonists, antagonists, and inverse agonists▫Most drugs are either agonistic or antagonistic

•Main types of neurotransmitters ▫Serotonin (5-HT)▫Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)▫Norepinephrine▫Dopamine

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Implications of Neuroscience for Psychopathology

•Relations between brain and abnormal behavior•Psychosocial influences▫Can change brain structure and function

•Therapy ▫Also can change brain structure and function▫Medications and psychotherapy

•Psychosocial factors▫Interact with brain structure and function

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The Contributions of Behavioral and Cognitive Science•Conditioning and cognitive processes▫Respondent and operant learning▫Learned helplessness▫Social learning

Modeling and observational learning▫Prepared learning

•Cognitive science and the unconscious

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The Role of Emotion in Psychopathology•The nature of emotion▫To elicit or evoke action▫Action tendency different from affect and mood

•Components of emotion ▫Behavior, physiology, and cognition

•Harmful side of emotional dysregulation▫Anger, hostility, emotional suppression, illness,

and psychopathology

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Cultural, Social, and Interpersonal Factors in Psychopathology•Cultural factors▫Influence the form and expression of behavior

•Gender effects▫Exert a strong and puzzling effect on

psychopathology•Social effects on health and behavior▫Frequency and quality important▫Related to mortality, disease, and

psychopathology

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Life-Span and Developmental Influences Over Psychopathology•Life-span developmental perspective▫Addresses developmental changes▫Influence and constrain what is normal and

abnormal•The principle of equifinality▫From developmental psychopathology▫Several paths to a given outcome ▫Paths vary by developmental stage

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Multidimensional Perspective of Psychopathology

•Multiple causation ▫Is the rule, not the exception

•Take a broad, comprehensive, systemic perspective▫Biological▫Psychological▫Social, cultural, and developmental factors

•Comprehensive approach▫Understanding the causes of psychopathology▫To best alleviate and prevent psychopathology

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Questions??

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