An Integrative Approach to Psychopathology

1
An Integrative Approach to Psychopathology

• Chapter 2
• Abnormal Psychology

2
Multidimensional Integrative Approach

• Psychopathology
• Biological roots
• Psychological roots
• Socio-cultural roots
• As opposed to one dimensional perspectives

3
Influences

• Behavioral emotions become associated with
  situations
• Biological inherited traits/genetic
  contributions
• Emotional influences how we think about and
  respond to situations

• Social familial/peer influences, cultural
  context
• Developmental critical periods- we may be
  particularly susceptible due to developmental
  timing

4
Genetic Contributions to Psychopathology

• Traits are influenced by our genetic endowment
• Polygenetic inheritance psychological
  characteristics are influenced by many genes,
  which interact with the environment each gene
  has a very small effect

5
Genetic Contributions to Psychopathology

• Environmental contexts and experiences determine
  whether or not genes are expressed or turned on

6
Study of Genes and Behavior

• Twin studies
• Comparing heritability estimates between
  identical and fraternal twins
• Schizophrenia if one identical twin has the
  disorder, the other twin has approximately a 50
  chance of developing it (similar or lower in
  other disorders)

7
Brain Plasticity

• Research the structure and functioning of the
  brain is continually shaped by experience
• Early childhood deprivation
• Adulthood exposure to stress/trauma effects of
  therapy/learning, etc.

8
Diathesis-Stress Model

• We inherit tendencies toward particular
  behavioral traits which may become activated
  during times of stress
• Particular life events may trigger the symptoms
  of a disorder

9
Diathesis-Stress Model

• Example
• Individual with a genetic vulnerability, a
  history of childhood abuse, and current stress in
  adulthood
• These factors interact to influence the
  development of symptoms

10
Genes and Environments Influence Each Other

• Our genetic vulnerability may increase the chance
  that we will experience stress
• Example we may have a personality
  trait/temperament that draws us toward stressful
  environments and relationships, which lead to
  depression
• Niche-picking genes may lead us to select
  certain environments

11
Recent ResearchGenetic Contributions

• Genetic contributions to disorders may be
  overstated in the research
• Some undermine the importance of environments in
  the expression of genes
• The critical role of early environments and
  experiences

12
Summarizing Genetic Contributions

• Genes must always be understood in combination
  with environments (nature nurture)
• Maladaptive environments may impact us more or
  less depending on our genetic inheritance

13
The Neuron
Fig. 3.8
14
Understanding Neurons

• 140 billion neurons in the brain
• Transmit information chemical and electrical
  events
• Neurotransmitters chemicals affecting the brain
  and body implicated in psychopathology

15
Neurotransmitters

• An increasingly complex picture
• Not just too much or too little-
  neurotransmitters affect information processing
• Psychotropic medications may block or inhibit the
  production of neurotransmitters, or may increase
  production

16
Overview Neurotransmitters

• GABA (inhibitory) affects information
  transmission- GABA tends to reduce anxiety-
  anti-anxiety meds allow more GABA to attach to
  receptors
• Serotonin information processing and mood
  regulation- different effects depending on the
  area of the brain

17
Overview Neurotransmitters

• Dopamine has a general effect, allowing other
  neurotransmitters to function associated with
  pleasure seeking revision to the dopamine
  hypothesis
• Norepinephrine does not appear to directly link
  to psychopathology, but works with other
  neurotransmitters associated with fear
  responses, blood pressure, and heart rate

18
Neurotransmitters

• New hypotheses and findings
• Genetic contributions may affect patterns of
  neurotransmitter activity, which may influence
  personality characteristics and behaviors
• Environments and experiences can shape and change
  neurotransmitter activity over time- brain scans
  with patients receiving therapy

19
Neurotransmitters

• Placebo effect
• The brain circuits/neurotransmitter activity
  change based on our expectations

20
Brain Changes- Learning and Experience

• Learning/experience influences the structure of
  the neurons and the number of receptors
• Studies
• Active vs. inactive rats- active rats have more
  neural connections and more active brains
• Deprivation/enrichment brain scans of children

21
Dendritic Spreading
Fig. 3.11
22
Lessons from Behavioral and Cognitive Science

• The manner in which we process information shapes
  the learning and maintenance of certain behaviors
• Events become paired and associated with each
  other

23
Lessons from Behavioral and Cognitive Science

• Learned Helplessness Seligman
• When we give up and stop trying to cope
• In response to stress that we perceive as beyond
  our control
• Based on our attributions

24
New ResearchLearned Optimism

• Seligman- we function better psychologically and
  physically when we have hope, positive beliefs
  about ourselves, and positive attitudes
• The mind-body connection

25
Emotions

• Emotions contribute to the development of
  psychopathology
• Alarm reactions fight or flight responses
• Our emotional appraisals of a situation shape our
  reactions (behaviors)

26
Emotions

• Research on suppression activates the
  sympathetic nervous system (responsible for fight
  or flight responses)
• Suppression is linked with psychopathology

27
The Role of Culture

• Culture shapes what we learn to fear, expect,
  believe, etc.
• Example case studies of Voodoo death
• Cultures have difference constructions of
  psychopathology

28
The Role of Culture

• Culture shapes our constructions of gender
• Perspectives on gender shape what we find
  socially acceptable
• Example men and experiences of fear and emotion
  women and body image

29
Social Relationships and Mental Health

• Research the experience of social support
  affects life expectancy
• Physical and mental health is influenced by the
  quality and extent of our social relationships
• Research having a pet has been shown to lower
  heart rate and blood pressure

30
The Role of Social Stigma

• The stigma of labels can affect individuals
  affected by mental health problems
• Beliefs about moral weakness and
  unpredictability/aggression

31
Developmental Considerations

• Developmental stages and prior experience shapes
  the experience of psychopathology
• Equifinality the notion that there are multiple
  pathways and interacting factors that influence
  the development of psychopathology

32
Conclusions

• New research findings are changing our
  understanding of psychopathology
• A multidimensional perspective is needed to
  understand the development of psychological
  disorder