Chapter 2 An Integrative Approach to Psychopathology

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

One-Dimensional vs. Multidimensional Models (continued) Interdisciplinary, eclectic, and integrative “System” of influences that cause and maintain suffering Draws upon information from several sources Abnormal behavior is multiply determined

Multidimensional Models of Abnormal Behavior Major Influences Biological Behavioral Emotional Social & Cultural Developmental

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 Less than 50%

The Interaction of Genetic and Environmental Effects Eric Kandel and Gene-Environment Interactions The Diathesis-Stress Model Examples: Blood-injury-injection phobia, alcoholism

The Interaction of Genetic and Environmental Effects (continued) Reciprocal Gene-Environment Model Examples: Depression, impulsivity Non-Genomic Inheritance of Behavior Genes are not the whole story Environmental influences may override genetics

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

Neuroscience and the Central Nervous System The Neuron Soma – Cell body Dendrites – Branches that receive messages from other neurons Axon – Trunk of neuron that sends messages to other neurons Axon terminals – Buds at end of axon from which chemical messages are sent Synapses – Small gaps that separate neurons

Neuroscience and the Central Nervous System (continued) Neurons Operate Electrically, but Communicate Chemically Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers

Overview: Neuroscience and Brain Structure Two Main Parts Brainstem and forebrain Three Main Divisions Hindbrain Midbrain Forebrain

Neuroscience and the Divisions of the Brain Hindbrain Medulla – Heart rate, blood pressure, respiration Pons – Regulates sleep stages Cerebellum – Involved in physical coordination Midbrain Coordinates movement with sensory input Contains parts of the reticular activating system (RAS)

Neuroscience and the Divisions of the Brain (continued) Forebrain (Cerebral Cortex) Most sensory, emotional, and cognitive processing Two specialized hemispheres

Major Structures of the Brain Figure 2.6b Major structures of the brain. (From Biological Psychology, 7th ed., by J.W. Kalat, © 2001. Reprinted by permission of Wadsworth.) Fig. 2.6b1, p. 47

Major Structures of the Brain Figure 2.6B Major Structures of the Brain Fig. 2.6b2, p. 47

Neuroscience and Brain Structure Lobes of Cerebral Cortex Frontal – Thinking and reasoning abilities, memory Parietal – Touch recognition Occipital – Integrates visual input Temporal – Recognition of sights and sounds, long-term memory storage

Neuroscience and Brain Structure (continued) Limbic System Thalamus – Receives and integrates sensory information Hypothalamus – Eating, drinking, aggression, sexual activity

Neuroscience: Peripheral Nervous and Endocrine Systems Somatic Branch of PNS Controls voluntary muscles and movement Autonomic Branch of the PNS Sympathetic and parasympathetic branches Regulates cardiovascular system & body temperature Also regulates the endocrine system and aids in digestion

Neuroscience: Peripheral Nervous and Endocrine Systems (continued) The Endocrine System Hormones The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenalcortical Axis (HYPAC axis) Integration of endocrine and nervous system function

Neuroscience: Functions of Main Types of Neurotransmitters Functions of Neurotransmitters Agonists, antagonists, and inverse agonists Most drugs are either agnostic or antagonistic

Neuroscience: Functions of Main Types of Neurotransmitters (continued) Serotonin (5HT) Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) Norepinephrine Dopamine

Major Serotonin Pathways in the Brain Figure 2.10 Major Serotonin Pathways in the Brain Fig. 2.10, p. 51

Manipulating Serotonin in the Brain Figure 2.11 Manipulating Serotonin in the Brain Fig. 2.11, p. 52

Implications of Neuroscience for Psychopathology Relations Between Brain and Abnormal Behavior Example: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) Psychosocial Influences Can change brain structure and function

Implications of Neuroscience for Psychopathology (continued) Therapy Also can change brain structure and function Medications and psychotherapy Psychosocial Factors Interact with brain structure and function

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

The Contributions of Behavioral and Cognitive Science (continued) Cognitive Science and the Unconscious Implicit memory Blind sight Stroop paradigm

The Role of Emotion in Psychopathology The Nature of Emotion To elicit or evoke action Action tendency different from affect and mood Intimately tied with several forms of psychopathology

The Role of Emotion in Psychopathology (continued) Components of Emotion Behavior, physiology, and cognition Example of fear Harmful Side of Emotional Dysregulation Anger, hostility, emotional suppression, illness, and psychopathology

Emotion has three important and overlapping components: behavior, cognition,and physiology Figure 2.15 Emotion has three important and overlapping components: behavior, cognition, and physiology. Fig. 2.15, p. 62

Cultural, Social, and Interpersonal Factors in Psychopathology Cultural Factors Influence the form and expression of behavior Gender Effects Exerts a strong and puzzling effect on psychopathology Social Effects on Health and Behavior Frequency and quality important Related to mortality, disease, and psychopathology

Cultural, Social, and Interpersonal Factors in Psychopathology (continued) Stigma of Psychopathology Culturally, socially, and interpersonally situated

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

Summary of the 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

Summary of the Multidimensional Perspective of Psychopathology (continued) Comprehensive Approach Understanding the causes of psychopathology To best alleviate and prevent psychopathology