chap 2

• Approaches to Abnormality

  • Biological
  • Psychological
  • Sociocultural
• Diathesis-stress Model


  Diathesis = Risk Factors, transdiagnostic risk factors
• Biological Approaches


  • Brain Dysfunction
  • Biochemical Imbalances
  • Genetic Abnormalities
• Genetic Abnormalities


  • Behavior Genetics
  • Polygenic
  • Gene-Environment Interaction
  • Epigenetics
• Gene-Environment Interaction Example


  • Having both the short allele of the 5-HTT gene and childhood maltreatment were associated with the greatest probability of developing depression as an adult
• Drug Therapies


  • Antipsychotic
  • Antidepressants
  • Mood Stabilizers (Lithium)
  • Antianxiety
• Brain Stimulation Techniques


  • Electroconvulsive Therapies
  • Psychosurgery
• Psychological Approaches


  • Psychodynamic
  • Behavioral
  • Cognitive
  • Humanistic
  • Family Systems
  • Third Wave Approaches
• Psychodynamic Approaches


  • Freud's Psychoanalysis
  • Ego Psychology
  • Object Relations
  • Self Psychology
  • Relational Psychoanalysis
• Psychodynamic Therapies


  • Psychoanalysis
  • Brief Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Interpersonal Therapy
• Behavioral Approaches


  • Classical Conditioning
  • Operant Conditioning
  • Social Learning
• Behavioral Therapies

  • Systematic Desensitization
  • Flooding
  • Aversion Therapy
  • Behavioral Contracting
  • Relaxation Techniques
  • Response Shaping
  • Modeling
• Cognitive Approaches


  • Cognition
  • Causal Attribution
  • Global Assumptions
• Cognitive Therapies


  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
• Humanistic Approaches


  • Self Actualization
  • Existential
  • Meaning and Purpose
• Humanistic Therapies

  • Client-Centered Therapy
• Family Systems Approach


  Psychopathology is indication of dysfunctional family system
• Family Systems Therapies


  • Family Systems Therapy
  • Behavioral Family Systems Therapy
• Third Wave Approaches


  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Sociocultural Approaches


  • Low Socioeconomic Status and Unemployment
  • Prejudice and Discrimination in Race, Gender, and Ethnicity
  • Social Change and Uncertainty
  • Urban Stressors: Violence and Homelessness
• Common Elements in Effective Treatments

  • Positive Relationship
  • Explanation and Interpretation
  • Confrontation of Painful Emotions
• Approaches along the continuum

  • Sociocultural approach
  • Biological approach
  • Psychological approach
  • Biopsychosocial approach
• Sociocultural approach


  Views disorders as the result of environmental conditions and cultural norms
• Biological approach


  Views disorders as the result of abnormal genes or neurobiological dysfunction
• Psychological approach


  Views disorders as the result of thinking processes, personality styles, emotions, and conditioning
• Biopsychosocial approach


  Recognizing that the development of psychological symptoms often results from a combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors
• Risk factors


  Factors that increase the risk of psychological problems
• Diathesis-stress model


  Diathesis = Risk factors
• Brain dysfunction


  • Brains do not function properly, often show problems in psychological functioning
  • The brain can be divided into three main regions: hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain
• Hindbrain


  1. Medulla

  2. Pons

  3. Reticular formation

  4. Cerebellum
• Midbrain


  1. Superior colliculus

  2. Inferior colliculus

  3. Substantia nigra
• Forebrain


  1. Cerebrum

  2. Cerebral cortex

  3. Thalamus

  4. Hypothalamus

  5. Pituitary gland

  6. Limbic system

  7. Amygdala

  8. Hippocampus
• Neurotransmitters


  Biochemicals that act as messengers carrying impulses from one neuron to another
• Neurotransmitter transmission


  1. Cell body

  2. Dendrites

  3. Axon

  4. Synaptic terminals

  5. Synaptic gap

  6. Receptors
• Reuptake


  The initial neuron releasing the neurotransmitter reabsorbs it, decreasing the amount left in the synapse
• Degradation


  The receiving neuron releases an enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter
• Behavioral genetics


  The study of the genetics of personality and abnormality
• Polygenic


  A process where multiple genetic abnormalities come together in one individual to create a specific disorder
• Gene-environment interaction


  Genetic factors and the environment interact to influence behaviors
• Epigenetics


  Environmental conditions can affect the expression of genes