Questions and Answers
What is meant by 'gene-environment interaction'?
The interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental factors in influencing behavior.
What is the current paradigm related to genetics?
Genetic
What is the focus of molecular genetics?
Molecular genetics studies the structure and function of genes at a molecular level.
What are neurotransmitters?
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What does the term 'behavior genetics' refer to?
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What is the HPA axis?
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What is cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)?
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What do interpersonal factors refer to in the context of psychopathology?
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What does the diathesis-stress model explain?
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What are the four D's of psychological disorders?
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Hippocrates believed psychological disorders could be treated like any other disease.
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What term describes the anticipated course of a disorder?
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Which of the following terms refers to the existence of another disorder?
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The study of the origins of psychological disorders is known as ______.
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What method distinguishes a particular disease or condition from others?
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Emotional contagion refers to the phenomenon where emotions spread within a group.
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Which term describes the pattern of symptoms over time?
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What term is used for how many new cases occurred in a given time period?
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
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Study Notes
Notion of a Paradigm
- Paradigms shape how phenomena are viewed and understood in scientific disciplines.
Current Paradigms: Genetic
- Genetic paradigm highlights the role of heredity in behavior and mental processes.
Important Genetic Terms
- Terms related to genetics are essential for understanding behavior and development.
Environmental Effects
- Environmental factors influence genetic expression and behavior, demonstrating the interaction between genes and surroundings.
Behavior Genetics
- Examines the influence of genetic factors on behavior.
- Investigates heritability of traits and disorders.
- Key studies often focus on twins and families to assess genetic predispositions.
Molecular Genetics
- Studies the molecular mechanisms of genes and their functions.
- Involves identifying genes linked to specific behaviors or psychological disorders.
- Techniques include DNA sequencing and gene mapping.
Gene-Environment Interaction
- Refers to how environmental factors can affect genetic expression, leading to a variety of outcomes in behavior and mental health.
Reciprocal Gene-Environment Interaction
- Highlights the bidirectional influence where genetic predispositions can alter responses to environmental factors and vice versa.
Current Paradigms: Neuroscience
- Neuroscience investigates the nervous system's role in behavior and mental processes.
- Focus on brain structures, neurotransmitters, and their functions.
The Neuron: Basic Unit of the Nervous System
- Neurons are specialized cells that transmit information throughout the body via electrical and chemical signals.
Neurotransmitters
- Chemicals facilitating communication between neurons.
- Imbalances can influence psychological conditions, emphasizing their role in psychopathology.
Reabsorption of Neurotransmitters
- Leftover neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron, regulating neurotransmitter levels in synaptic clefts.
Neurotransmitters and Psychopathology
- Certain neurotransmitters are linked to various mental health disorders, guiding treatment strategies.
Brain Structure and Function
- Different brain regions specialize in varying functions, influencing behavior and cognition.
HPA Axis of the Neuroendocrine System
- A central part of the stress response system, linking the nervous and endocrine systems.
Neuroscience Approaches to Treatment
- Includes pharmacological interventions targeting neurotransmitter systems to address mental health issues.
Evaluating the Neuroscience Paradigm
- Assesses strengths and limitations of neuroscience in explaining complex psychological phenomena.
Current Paradigms: Cognitive Behavioral
- Cognitive-behavioral paradigm focuses on the interplay between thoughts, behaviors, and emotions.
- Significant for treating anxiety disorders through structured interventions.
Cognitive Science
- Explores mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving, impacting therapeutic approaches.
Role of the Unconscious
- Examines how unconscious thoughts and feelings influence behavior and perceptions.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- A structured, short-term therapy that aims to change negative thinking patterns and behaviors.
Beck's Cognitive Therapy
- Developed by Aaron Beck, focuses on cognitive distortions and restructuring thoughts to improve mental health.
Evaluating the CBT Paradigm
- Analyzes the effectiveness of CBT in various disorders and its integration with other therapeutic approaches.
Current Paradigms: Factors That Cut Across the Paradigms
- Investigates overlapping themes across different paradigms to better understand psychological challenges.
Interpersonal Factors and Psychopathology
- Emphasizes how social relationships and interactions contribute to psychological conditions.
Current Paradigms: Diathesis-Stress
- Proposes that predisposition (diathesis) combined with stressors can lead to the development of psychological disorders.
Psychological Disorders Overview
- Psychological dysfunction is characterized by disturbances in thought, feelings, and behavior.
- Distress or impairment refers to the psychological distress experienced by the individual, affecting daily functioning.
- Atypical behavior deviates from cultural expectations, often classifying it as a disorder.
Four D's of Psychological Disorders
- Dysfunction: Impaired or abnormal functioning in areas such as self-care, social interactions, or work.
- Distress: Emotional suffering that may affect an individual's quality of life.
- Deviance: Behavior that contrasts significantly with societal norms.
- Dangerousness: Risk of harm to oneself or others, prompting concern for safety.
Key Terms in DSM-5
- Diagnostic Criteria: Defined sets of signs, symptoms, and tests to determine mental disorders.
- Prevalence: Measures how widespread disorders are within a population.
- Incidence: Indicates the number of new cases of a disorder during a specific timeframe.
- Course: The symptom pattern, can be chronic, episodic, or time-limited.
- Onset: Describes whether the disorder emerges acutely or insidiously over time.
- Prognosis: Predictions about recovery, duration, and outcomes of the disorder.
- Etiology: The study of the origins or causes of psychological disorders.
- Ego-Syntonic/Dystonic: Consistency or inconsistency between one's behaviors and personal values.
- Comorbidity: The occurrence of more than one disorder in the same individual.
- Differential Diagnosis: A process to differentiate between disorders that exhibit similar symptoms.
Historical Perspectives on Psychological Disorders
The Supernatural Tradition
- Deviant behaviors were often attributed to supernatural influences, such as the struggle between good and evil.
- In the Great Persian Empire, psychological disorders were linked with possession and misfortune, requiring treatments like exorcism.
- Such beliefs persisted into the 15th century, where bizarre behaviors were seen as acts of sorcery.
Stress and Melancholy
- In the 15th century, insanity was viewed as a normal reaction to stress, resulting in symptoms like despair.
- The church connected these symptoms to the sin of acedia, promoting treatments such as rest and gentle remedies.
Nicholas Oresme
- A 14th-century philosopher who recognized melancholy (depression) as a potential cause of bizarre behaviors.
- He criticized the validity of confessions obtained through torture during witch trials.
Mass Hysteria
- Phenomenon of large-scale outbreaks of strange behavior, examples include Saint Vitus's Dance and tarantism.
- Highlights the concepts of emotion contagion and mob psychology.
The Moon and the Stars
- Paracelsus, a Swiss physician, proposed that celestial movements, particularly those of the moon, could influence mental health.
- This notion gave rise to the term "lunatic," derived from the Latin word for moon.
The Biological Tradition
Hippocrates and Galen
- Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.), recognized as the father of modern medicine, posited that psychological disorders were akin to physical diseases.
- Emphasized the role of brain pathology, heredity, and environmental factors in mental health.
- Hippocrates introduced the concept of hysteria, reflecting early understandings of mental conditions.
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Test your knowledge on the current paradigms in genetics, including important genetic terms and environmental effects. This quiz will challenge your understanding of how genetics shapes behavior and development.
