Psychology Chapter on Abnormal Behavior

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Questions and Answers

Which neurotransmitter is primarily linked to stress responses and anxiety?

Norepinephrine (correct)

Serotonin

Dopamine

Acetylcholine

What is the main function of the HPA Axis in the context of stress response?

To signal the release of cortisol (correct)

To regulate hormone production

To manage blood sugar levels

To facilitate neurotransmitter activity

Which psychological perspective primarily focuses on the unconscious motives influencing behavior?

Behavioral Perspective

Cognitive Perspective

Psychoanalytic Perspective (correct)

Humanistic Perspective

What is one potential result of a malfunction in the feedback loop of the HPA Axis?

Prolonged stress response Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is associated with mood regulation and linked to anxiety and depression?

Serotonin Signup and view all the answers

What does temperament describe in the context of child development?

Natural emotional reactions and self-regulation patterns Signup and view all the answers

Imbalances in which neurotransmitter are linked to conditions like schizophrenia?

Dopamine Signup and view all the answers

How do different temperaments contribute to individual mental health outcomes?

By increasing sensitivity to stress and adaptability Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of a structured interview?

It follows a specific format to quantify responses. Signup and view all the answers

Which psychological assessment method involves clients keeping track of their own behaviors?

Self-Monitoring Signup and view all the answers

What does a Mental Status Exam specifically assess?

Cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following tests is considered a projective personality test?

Rorschach Inkblot Test Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a distal risk factor in the context of abnormal behavior?

An event occurring early in life that manifests symptoms later on Signup and view all the answers

What does the term ‘reactivity’ refer to in behavioral observation?

Changes in behavior due to self-monitoring or observation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the diathesis-stress model?

It highlights the interaction between genetic predisposition and external stressors. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an unstructured interview?

Provides a limited scope of assessment. Signup and view all the answers

What is classified as a reinforcing contributory cause?

Compliments received after weight loss that encourage disordered eating Signup and view all the answers

How do protective factors relate to mental health outcomes?

They help reduce the risk of negative outcomes in high-risk individuals. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) reveal themes in a client's cognition?

By having clients create stories based on images. Signup and view all the answers

What best describes proximal risk factors?

They represent immediate triggers that precede the development of symptoms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using rating scales in psychological assessments?

To organize and improve reliability and objectivity. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a typical diathesis according to the diathesis-stress model?

Recent job loss leading to anxiety Signup and view all the answers

What does bidirectional influence refer to in the context of abnormal behavior?

The interplay of various factors that creates a complex causation Signup and view all the answers

What role do environmental influences play in the development of mental disorders?

They are significant, especially under the diathesis-stress model. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

Preoccupation with perceived physical flaws Signup and view all the answers

What is the lifetime prevalence rate for Hoarding Disorder?

3-5% Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment is considered ineffective for Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

Plastic surgery Signup and view all the answers

What is a key symptom of Trichotillomania?

Compulsive hair pulling Signup and view all the answers

What are the causal similarities across anxiety disorders?

Genetic vulnerability and neurotransmitter irregularity Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Unipolar Depressive Disorder from Bipolar Disorder?

Only depressive episodes are experienced Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitters are implicated in anxiety disorders?

GABA, norepinephrine, serotonin Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the experience of mania?

Extreme euphoria and impulsive behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which symptoms are primarily alleviated by reducing dopamine activity in schizophrenia treatment?

Positive symptoms like hallucinations and delusions Signup and view all the answers

What is a common side effect associated with first-generation antipsychotics?

Extrapyramidal side effects like tremors and rigidity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following side effects is NOT associated with second-generation antipsychotics?

Extrapyramidal symptoms Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of case management in therapeutic interventions?

Ensuring patients navigate various needs like housing and employment Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of family therapy in the treatment of schizophrenia?

To improve family communication and coping strategies Signup and view all the answers

How does psychoeducation benefit both patients and their families?

It enhances understanding and builds empathy Signup and view all the answers

What is an outcome of reducing expressed emotion (EE) in the household?

More than doubling the chance of stability for patients Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter system is additionally targeted by second-generation antipsychotics aside from dopamine?

Serotonin Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Risk Factors and Causes of Abnormal Behavior

Distal Risk Factors: Occur early in life with effects manifesting years later.
Proximal Risk Factors: Events occurring shortly before symptom onset.
Reinforcing Contributory Cause: Conditions that maintain maladaptive behaviors already present.
- Example: Compliments after weight loss can reinforce disordered eating.

Feedback and Bidirectionality in Abnormal Behavior

Many causes of abnormal behavior are interconnected and cyclical, making cause-and-effect identification challenging.

Diathesis-Stress Model

Explains the development of mental disorders as an interaction between an individual's vulnerability (diathesis) and significant stressors.
Diathesis: Predisposition or vulnerability to developing a disorder.
- Biological Factors: Genetics, brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter imbalances.
- Psychological Factors: Cognitive styles, personality traits like pessimism or high neuroticism.
- Sociocultural Factors: Cultural stressors, discrimination, early life adversity.
Stress: External pressures or challenges that tax an individual's coping resources, potentially triggering a mental disorder in someone with a diathesis.
- Examples include job loss, divorce, trauma, or other taxing demands.
- The interaction between diathesis and stress determines symptom manifestation.

Protective Factors & Resilience

Conditions or attributes that reduce the risk of negative mental health outcomes, even in high-risk individuals.

Notable Neurotransmitters in Psychopathology

Norepinephrine: Linked to stress responses and anxiety.
Dopamine: Associated with reward pathways; imbalances are linked to conditions like schizophrenia.
Serotonin: Implicated in mood regulation and behaviors related to anxiety and depression.

Hormonal Imbalances

Hormones produced by endocrine glands act as messengers that regulate bodily functions.
HPA Axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis): Crucial for stress response.
- Hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), prompting the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
- ACTH signals the adrenal glands to release cortisol, the primary stress hormone.
- This system has a feedback loop: cortisol signals the hypothalamus and pituitary to reduce CRH and ACTH release, lowering cortisol production.
- Malfunctions in this feedback loop can lead to prolonged stress responses, contributing to conditions like depression and PTSD.

Temperament

A child's natural emotional reactions and self-regulation.
Forms the basis for personality development and shapes how individuals interact with the world.
Different temperaments affect sensitivity to stress, adaptability, and emotional reactions, influencing mental health outcomes over time.

Psychological Perspective

Examines internal psychological processes.
Focuses on how thoughts, feelings, and unconscious motivations shape behavior, both adaptive and maladaptive.

Psychoanalytic Perspective

Pioneered by Sigmund Freud, emphasizing the role of unconscious motivations in determining behavior.
Many psychological issues stem from unresolved unconscious conflicts, often originating in childhood.
Mental health issues arise from internal struggles among different parts of the psyche.
Structure of the Psyche:
- Id: Driven by primal impulses and desires.
- Ego: Mediates between id and superego, navigating reality.
- Superego: Internalized moral compass and societal expectations.

Methods of Psychological Assessment

Clinical Interviews: Face-to-face interactions with clinicians.
- Provides firsthand information about the client's situation, behavior, and personality.
- Mental Status Exam: Assesses cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning in a structured manner.
- Types of Interviews:
  - Structured Interview: Follows a specific format to quantify responses for standardized evaluation.
  - Semi-Structured Interviews: Has a set order of questions with flexibility for follow-ups, enhancing accuracy.
  - Unstructured Interview: No predetermined questions, allowing for an open-ended, subjective approach to gather information.
Behavioral Observation:
- Direct Observation: Observing a client's appearance and behavior in various contexts to gather insights into their psychological functioning.
- Role Playing: Controlled scenarios where clients act out situations to reveal patterns in behavior.
- Self-Monitoring: Clients record their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in real-time, helping clinicians assess natural responses.
  - Reactivity: Changes in behavior as a result of being observed or self-monitored.
- Rating Scales: Help organize systematically and improve reliability and objectivity.
Psychological Tests:
- Intelligence Tests/Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS): Measures both verbal and performance skills, with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15.
- Projective Personality Tests: Unstructured; rely on ambiguous stimuli instead of specific questions.
  - Rorschach Inkblot Tests: Uses inkblots to elicit responses that reveal underlying thoughts and feelings.
  - Thematic Apperception Test (TAT): Clients create stories based on pictures, revealing themes in their cognition and emotions.
  - Sentence Completion Test: Particularly for younger clients; requires them to finish sentences, revealing thoughts and emotional patterns.
- Objective Personality Tests: Structured, questionnaire, self-report inventories, rating scales.
  - Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI): Widely used to assess personality traits and identify psychological disorders.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Preoccupation with perceived physical flaws, repetitive behaviors, and significant distress/impairment.
1-2% lifetime prevalence.
High rates of suicidal ideation and attempts.
Causal Factors:
- Moderate genetic contribution.
- Biased attention, interpretation of ambiguous stimuli as relating to perceived attractiveness.
Treatments:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).
- Plastic surgery is generally ineffective and often referred by a plastic surgeon to a psychologist.

Hoarding Disorder

Difficulty discarding possessions, excessive attachment to items.
3-5% lifetime prevalence.
Treatment:
- CBT.
- SSRIs.

Trichotillomania

Compulsive hair pulling (tension before, relief afterwards).
Visible hair loss leading to distress.

Causal Similarities across Anxiety Disorders

Genetic vulnerability.
Brian Structure: The limbic system (involved in emotional processing) and parts of the cortex are commonly implicated.
Neurotransmitter Irregularity: GABA, norepinephrine, serotonin (regulate mood, fear, arousal) are all implicated.
Lack of perceived control, leading to heightened stress and anxious responses.

Depression

Characterized by intense sadness, low energy, feelings of dejection that affect daily life and functioning.
Includes lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities and persistent low mood.

Mania

Involves extreme levels of excitement, energy, euphoria, which may result in impulsive decisions or risky behavior.
Distinct from happiness; it is intense, often unrealistic, and prolonged.

Types of Mood Disorders

Unipolar Depressive Disorder: Individuals experience only depressive episodes without any manic or hypomanic phases.
- Symptoms: Persistent sadness, anhedonia (lack of interest in activities), sleep disturbances, thoughts of death or suicide.
- Often emerges in late adolescence or young adulthood and can recur without treatment.
Bipolar Disorder: Cycling between depressive and manic episodes, experiencing significant mood swings that impact functioning.

Schizophrenia

Characterized by a range of symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and negative symptoms.
Positive Symptoms: Distortions or excesses of normal function.
- Hallucinations: Sensory experiences that are not real, such as hearing voices or seeing things that aren’t present.
- Delusions: False beliefs that are firmly held despite evidence to the contrary.
- Disorganized speech: Incoherent or illogical language.
- Disorganized behavior: Odd or unpredictable actions.
Negative Symptoms: Deficits in normal functioning.
- Alogia (poverty of speech): A reduction in speech fluency and productivity.
- Avolition (lack of motivation): Decreased goal-directed behavior and initiative.
- Anhedonia: Loss of interest or pleasure in activities.
- Asociality: Social withdrawal and isolation.
- Flat affect: Diminished emotional expression.
Cognitive Symptoms
- Impaired attention.
- Memory deficits.
- Difficulty with executive functioning (planning, decision-making).
Course of Schizophrenia
- Typically emerges in late adolescence or early adulthood.
- Episodes of psychosis can vary in intensity and duration.
- Some individuals experience periods of remission with minimal or no symptoms.
Causes:
- Complex interaction of genetic, biological, and environmental factors.
Treatment:
- Medications, primarily antipsychotics, help manage symptoms.
  - First generation antipsychotics: Block dopamine receptors in the brain.
  - Second generation antipsychotics: Target dopamine receptors but also affect additional neurotransmitter systems.
- Therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), helps patients develop coping skills.
Prognosis:
- Variable, depending on factors such as age of onset, severity of symptoms, and response to treatment.
- With effective treatment, many individuals can live productive and fulfilling lives.

Therapeutic Interventions

Case Management: Helps patients coordinate their various needs (housing, employment, social services).
- Effective case management has been shown to reduce hospitalization rates, ensuring continuity of care and helping patients navigate their lives more independently.
Family Therapy:
- Educates and involves the patient's family in the treatment process, fostering a more supportive home environment.
- Aims to reduce expressed emotion (EE).
- Strategies: Families learn coping strategies, communication skills, stress management techniques.
- Reducing EE in the household has been found to more than double the likelihood of a patient maintaining stability and avoiding relapse.
Psychoeducation
- Provides patients and their families with essential knowledge about schizophrenia, including understanding symptoms, triggers, and management strategies.
- Helps patients recognize early warning signs of relapse and learn about medication compliance and lifestyle adjustments.
- This helps families enhance understanding, reduce frustration and build empathy towards the patient.

Key Points:

Abnormal behavior results from the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.
The diathesis-stress model explains how vulnerability combined with environmental stressors can trigger mental disorders.
Effective treatment for mental disorders often involves a combination of medication and therapy.
Early intervention and support can significantly improve the long-term outcomes for individuals with mental disorders.

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Description

Explore the risk factors and causes of abnormal behavior in this quiz. Understand the diathesis-stress model and how various risk factors can interact in complex ways to influence mental health. Assess your knowledge on psychological and biological factors affecting mental disorders.