theoretical approaches

• One-Dimensional


  Looking for a single cause
• Multidimensional


  Looking for a systemic cause
• Genes


  Long molecules of DNA at various locations on chromosomes, within cell nucleus
• Chromosomes


  • 46
  • 23 Pairs
  • 22 Pairs of Autosomes
  • 1 pair Sex Chromosomes
• Dominant


  Genetic trait
• Recessive


  Genetic trait
• Phenotypes


  Observable characteristics
• Genotypes


  Unique genetic makeup
• Endophenotypes


  Genetic mechanisms that ultimately contribute to the underlying problems causing the symptoms and difficulties experienced by people with psychological disorders
• Basic Genetic Epidemiology


  Statistical analysis of family, twin, and adoption studies; if the disorder can be inherited and how much is attributable to genetics
• Advanced Genetic Epidemiology


  Studies the factors that influence the disorder
• Gene Finding


  What gene influences the behavior
• Molecular Genetics


  Biological analysis of individual DNA samples; biological processes genes affect to produce symptoms of the disorder
• Neuroscience


  The study of the nervous system, especially the brain to understand behavior, emotions, and cognitive processes
• Family Studies


  Examine behavioral pattern or emotional trait in the context of the family
• Neurotransmitters


  • Dopamine
  • Acetylcholine
  • Norepinephrine
  • GABA
  • Serotonin
  • Epinephrine
  • Glutamate
  • Endorphin
• Proband


  The first person in the family to be identified as possibly having genetic disorder and who may receive genetic counseling or testing
• Neurotransmitter agonist


  Effectively increases the activity of the neurotransmitters (Excitatory)
• Adoption Studies


  Identify adoptees who have a particular behavioral pattern or psychological disorder and attempt to locate first-degree relatives who were raised in different family settings
• Neurotransmitter antagonist


  Decreases or blocks neurotransmitter (Inhibitory)
• Twin Studies


  Usually conducted to identical twins because they share genetic makeup
• Inverse agonist


  Produces effects opposite to those produced by the neurotransmitters
• Neurotransmitter reuptake


  Neurotransmitter is released, quickly broken down and brought back to the synaptic cleft
• Those people who reported more severe stressful life events and had at least one short allele of the 5-HTT gene

  Were at greater risk of developing depression
• Neurotransmitter


  Chemical messengers of the body
• Epigenetics


  Factors other than inherited DNA sequence, such as new learning or stress, that alter the phenotypic expression of genes
• Glutamate


  • Most abundant in the brain and plays a key role in thinking, learning, and memory
• Classical Conditioning


  Type of learning in which neutral stimulus is paired with response until it elicits that response
• GABA


  • Most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and regulates mood, irritability, sleep, seizures
• Serotonin


  • Regulates mood, sleep patterns, sexuality, appetite, and pain
• Components of Classical Conditioning

  • Unconditioned Stimulus
  • Unconditioned Response
  • Conditioned Stimulus
  • Conditioned Response
  • Extinction
• Dopamine


  • Body reward system, pleasures, achieving heightened arousal and learning
• Unconditioned Stimulus


  Natural stimulus
• Epinephrine


  • Responsible for fight-or-flight response
• Norepinephrine


  • Alertness, arousal, decision-making, attention, and focus
• Unconditioned Response


  Natural or unlearned response
• Endorphins


  • Natural pain reliever, reduces pain
• Conditioned Stimulus


  Newly conditioned event introduced
• Acetylcholine


  • Regulates heart rate, blood pressure and gut motility, role in muscle contraction, memory, motivation, sexual desire, sleep, and learning
• Brain Stem


  • Lower and more ancient part of the brain; essential for autonomic functioning such as breathing, heartbeat, etc.