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

Agenda Seminar Participation Historical Conceptions of Abnormal Behavior Integrated Approach to Psychopathology Conclusions & Questions 2

Historical Conceptions of Abnormal Behavior Three dominant traditions ▫ Supernatural ▫ Biological ▫ Psychological 3

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 4

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 5

Multidimensional Models of Abnormal Behavior Major influences ▫ Biological ▫ Behavioral ▫ Emotional ▫ Social & cultural ▫ Developmental 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

Neuroscience and the Central Nervous System The neuron Neurons operate electrically, but communicate chemically ▫ Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers 10

Overview: Neuroscience and Brain Structure Two main parts ▫ Brainstem and forebrain Three main divisions ▫ Hindbrain ▫ Midbrain ▫ Forebrain 11

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) 12

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 13

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 14

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 15

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 16

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 17

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 18

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 19

Questions?? 20