Psychopathology Causes and Risk Factors

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of the diathesis-stress model in mental illness?

The interaction of environmental and genetic factors (correct)

The relationship between temporary stressors and mental health

The combination of distal and proximal causal factors

The sole influence of genetic predisposition

What does 'INUS' in the context of significant life events causing depression refer to?

It unifies all biological and psychological factors.

It represents unrelated factors contributing to depression.

It is a sufficient condition for causing depression.

It is not a necessary condition for causing depression. (correct)

Which factor is considered a proximal cause in the context of mental illness?

Historical trauma

Chronic environmental stressors

Recent stressful life events (correct)

Genetic predisposition

In the additive model of the diathesis-stress framework, how is depression represented mathematically?

Depression = Diathesis + Stress Signup and view all the answers

How many genes does a human typically inherit from their parents?

20,000 genes Signup and view all the answers

Which element is included in the biopsychosocial viewpoint of abnormal behavior?

A combination of biological, psychological, and social influences Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of DNA in relation to behavior?

DNA provides instructions that affect both body and behavior Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to the variation in the impact of inherited genes?

The influence of environmental factors Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of an autosomal dominant disorder?

Only one copy of the deviant gene is necessary to exhibit the disorder. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of genetic variation is categorized as a repeat?

Variable number tandem repeats Signup and view all the answers

What is true about Huntington's Disease regarding penetrance?

It is considered completely penetrant because all carriers develop the disease by a certain age. Signup and view all the answers

How is disorder characterized by incomplete penetrance defined in terms of genotype?

0% disease risk is found in the A1A1 genotype. Signup and view all the answers

Which genetic variation would not be classified as a variant?

Allelic mutations Signup and view all the answers

What is the central question addressed in the study of psychopathology?

What causes psychopathology? Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'correlate' in the context of psychopathology?

A risk factor associated with psychological disorders. Signup and view all the answers

In the INUS model, how can the components of a fire incident be best described?

As insufficient but necessary parts of a collection that is unnecessary but sufficient. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sets of events could collectively lead to a house burning down, according to the INUS concept?

House, short circuit, proximity of flammable material, and absence of firefighters. Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'post hoc ergo propter hoc' imply in the context of correlational data?

Misinterpretation of past events as causes of current phenomena. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding risk factors and causes in psychopathology?

Identifying correlates is often more accessible than finding causes. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the INUS model considered important in understanding psychological disorders?

It emphasizes the complexity of multiple interacting factors. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the environment play in the development of psychopathology?

It influences the expression of genetic predispositions. Signup and view all the answers

What are the first 22 pairs of chromosomes in the human genome referred to as?

Autosomes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of genes in the genome?

They code for mRNA and proteins Signup and view all the answers

What is the genetic material that makes up DNA?

A, G, C, T Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements describes the relationship between diploid and haploid cells?

Diploid cells contain two sets of chromosomes, while haploid cells contain one set. Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe observable characteristics of an organism?

Phenoype Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a homozygote from a heterozygote at a locus?

Homozygotes have identical alleles, while heterozygotes have different alleles. Signup and view all the answers

What type of genetic variation occurs when different alleles are present at a locus?

Genetic variation Signup and view all the answers

What does a locus refer to in genetics?

The physical location of a gene on a chromosome Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the central dogma of molecular biology, what is the primary function of mRNA?

To serve as the messenger for protein synthesis Signup and view all the answers

How are alleles defined in the context of genetics?

Alternative forms of a DNA sequence Signup and view all the answers

What does a gene primarily code for?

Proteins Signup and view all the answers

Which pair of chromosomes determines a person's sex?

X and Y chromosomes Signup and view all the answers

During what process is genetic information primarily transferred from DNA to RNA?

Transcription Signup and view all the answers

What type of cell contains two sets of chromosomes and is created through fertilization?

Diploid cell Signup and view all the answers

Which genetic concept refers to different forms of the same gene?

Alleles Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Causes and Risk Factors for Psychopathology

The central question regarding psychopathology is "What causes it?"
It is very difficult to answer definitively, as we often only know correlates or risk factors instead of direct causes.
Be wary of assuming correlation implies causation.

Correlates and Causes

The term "correlate" only indicates an association; it doesn't establish a cause-and-effect relationship.
Correlates are often misinterpreted as causes or likely causes.
The post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy (Latin for "after this, therefore because of this") is a common error in interpreting longitudinal data, where we mistakenly believe a prior event caused a later event.

Types of Causes

INUS: Insufficient but Necessary parts of a collection which is itself Unnecessary but Sufficient.
- Example: A house, a short circuit, flammable materials nearby, and the absence of firefighters constitute an INUS condition for a house fire.
- Each of these elements is necessary within the collection, but not sufficient by itself to cause a fire.
- The entire collection is unnecessary because arson could cause the fire, and it is sufficient because it could lead to the house burning down.
- Alcohol's impact on the developing brain and significant life events triggering depression are examples of INUS causes in psychopathology.

Types of Causes: Timeframe

Distal causes: Factors that are distant in time from the outcome
Proximal causes: Immediate factors that contribute to the outcome

Diathesis-Stress Model

This is a prevailing causal theory for mental illness.
The model postulates that a diathesis (risk), a relatively distal predisposing factor, combined with stress (proximal events), creates the conditions for a disorder to manifest.
The diathesis is not sufficient on its own to cause the illness, but it increases vulnerability, while stress serves as a trigger.

Diathesis-Stress Model: Additive and Interactive Models

Additive model: Diathesis and stress simply add up, with more of either increasing the likelihood of the disorder.
Interactive model: The diathesis and stress interact in a multiplicative manner. In this scenario, even low levels of diathesis can be amplified by significant stress.

Viewpoints: Understanding the Causes of Abnormal Behavior

There are multiple perspectives on understanding abnormal behavior:
- Biological: Emphasizes the role of genetics, neurochemical imbalances, and brain abnormalities.
- Psychological: Focuses on the impact of thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and learning experiences.
- Social: Looks at social and cultural factors, such as poverty, discrimination, and social support systems.
- Biopsychosocial: An integrative approach recognizing the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors in mental illness.

Genes and Environment

The intricate relationship between genes and the environment shapes both brain structure and function, ultimately influencing psychological symptoms and behavior.
- Genes provide the blueprint for building our bodies and influencing behavior.
- Each person inherits DNA from their mother and father.
- Genes are functional units of DNA that code for proteins.
- The environment plays a crucial role in how these genes are expressed, influencing the impact of our genetic inheritance.

Genetics: Basic Concepts

DNA: The blueprint of life
- DNA contains the instructions for building our bodies and influencing behavior.
- It is made up of four bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T).
- The sequence of these bases defines our genetic information.
- Genes are sections of DNA that code for mRNA and proteins.
Chromosomes: Carriers of genetic information
- Humans have 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes (diploid).
- The first 22 pairs are autosomes, numbered 1-22.
- The last pair is the sex chromosomes, X or Y.
- Only one chromosome from each pair is transmitted to offspring (haploid).

Genetic Variation

Locus: A specific region of the genome that harbors alleles.
Allele: Alternative forms of DNA sequence, leading to different genotypes in different people.
- Example: Y and G for yellow/green pea pod color or A1 and A2 for a generic allele.
Genotype: The two alleles inherited at a particular locus for humans.
- Homozygotes: Have two identical alleles (e.g., GG, YY, A1A1, A2A2).
- Heterozygotes: Have two different alleles (e.g., GY, YG, A1A2).

Genetic Sources of Individual Differences: Types of Genetic Variants

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP): Single-base differences in DNA sequences between individuals. They are the most common type of genetic variation.
Repeats: Sections of DNA that are repeated multiple times; variations in the number of repeats can influence gene expression.
Insertions/Deletions: Additions or removals of DNA sequences.
Inversions: Segments of DNA that have been flipped around.
Large copy number variants: Segments of DNA that are duplicated or deleted.
Variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs): Repeating DNA sequences that vary in length among individuals.

Autosomal Dominant, Monogenic Disorders

Dominant gene: Only one copy of the "deviant" gene (allele) is needed for the disorder to manifest.
Genotype: The combination of alleles inherited for a particular gene.
Phenotype: The observable characteristics influenced by the genotype.

Autosomal Dominant: Illustration using Punnett Square

Example: Imagine two heterozygotes (A1A2) for an autosomal dominant disorder. Using a Punnett square:
- Offspring have a 25% chance of inheriting two copies of the "normal" allele (A1A1, unaffected).
- 50% chance of inheriting one "normal" and one "deviant" allele (A1A2, affected).
- 25% chance of inheriting two copies of the "deviant" allele (A2A2, affected).

Penetrance

Penetrance: The likelihood that a particular genotype will result in the expected phenotype.
Complete penetrance: All individuals with the relevant genotype will exhibit the disease.
Incomplete penetrance: Not everyone with the genotype will express the disorder.
Example: Huntington's Disease displays complete penetrance, meaning everyone with the A1A2 or A2A2 genotype develops the disorder. However, some diseases, such as breast cancer, only show incomplete penetrance, where individuals with a specific gene variant may or may not develop the disease.

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Description

Explore the complexities behind the causes and risk factors of psychopathology. This quiz delves into the difference between correlates and causes, and elucidates the common misconceptions surrounding causation. Test your understanding of these critical concepts in mental health.