A2

• What will learners explore in Content area A2?

  Psychological approaches to health
• What are biological influences on health?

  Genetic predisposition and neurotransmitter imbalances
• What do behaviorist approaches focus on?

  Role of cues and reinforcement in behavior
• What does the social learning approach emphasize?

  Effects of parental and peer role models
• What does the cognitive approach address?

  Decisions to engage in behaviors for relief
• What is a genetic predisposition?


  Increased likelihood of developing a disease
• How do genetic changes contribute to disease?

  They increase likelihood but don't directly cause it
• Why do some people with genetic predispositions not develop diseases?

  Complex interactions with genes and environment
• What diseases can one be genetically predisposed to?

  Cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease
• What did Ozaki et al (2003) find regarding OCD?

  Mutation of SERT gene in affected families
• How can genetic predisposition influence stress levels?

  Some people are more genetically prone to stress
• What are the strengths of understanding genetic influences on health?

  • Implications for healthcare: targeted screening
  • Objective approach: scientific validity
• What are the weaknesses of focusing solely on genetic influences?

  • Ignores environmental factors (nurture)
  • Deterministic view limits free will
• What is GABA's role in the brain?

  It functions as the 'off' switch
• How does GABA affect mood and anxiety?

  Improves mood and relieves anxiety
• What is serotonin linked to?

  Behaviors and disorders including depression
• How do antidepressants affect serotonin levels?

  They increase serotonin in synapses
• What is dopamine's role in the brain?

  It increases activity in the brain
• How is dopamine related to OCD?

  Increases signals in the 'worry circuit'
• How does dopamine relate to addiction?

  Causes pleasure rush when released
• What are the strengths of understanding neurotransmitter influences on health?

  • Implications for healthcare: targeted treatments
  • Objective approach: scientific validity
• What are the weaknesses of focusing solely on neurotransmitter influences?

  • Ignores environmental triggers
  • Deterministic view limits free will
• What is the exam question about Aisha's concern?

  Will Aisha definitely contract Alzheimer’s?
• What is the concept of genetic predisposition in Aisha's case?

  Increased likelihood due to family history
• What is a cue in behaviorism?

  A prompt that triggers behavior
• What are the two types of cues?

  Internal and external cues
• How does classical conditioning relate to cues?

  Associates two stimuli to prompt behavior
• How can cues explain obesity?

  Environmental cues trigger unhealthy eating
• How can cues explain smoking behavior?

  Environmental cues trigger smoking urges
• How can cues explain gambling behavior?

  Environmental cues trigger gambling actions
• How can cues explain alcohol consumption?

  Environmental cues trigger drinking behavior
• What is operant conditioning?

  Learning by consequences of behavior
• What are the two types of reinforcement in operant conditioning?

  Positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement
• What is positive reinforcement?

  Behavior followed by a pleasant consequence
• How does going for a run serve as positive reinforcement?

  Increases energy levels, rewarding the behavior
• What is negative reinforcement?

  Behavior followed by removal of unpleasant stimulus
• How does eating vegetables serve as negative reinforcement?

  Removes bloated feeling, encouraging behavior
• How does drinking alleviate withdrawal symptoms for alcoholics?

  Removes unpleasant withdrawal symptoms
• What is a token economy?

  • Behavior modification using tokens
  • Tokens exchanged for rewards
  • Used in institutional settings
• What are the strengths of the behaviorist approach?

  • Effective treatments developed (e.g., aversion therapy)
  • Clear link between behavior and consequences