Models of Psychopathology

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Models of Psychopathology

• Unidimensional Models
• One Cause of a Disorder
• Multidimensional Models
• Multiple, Linear Causes
• Diathesis-Stress Model
• Reciprocal Models
• Reciprocal Gene-Environmental Model

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Fig. 2-2, p. 38
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Fig. 2-1, p. 33
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Biological Factors

• Neuronal Structure and Function
• Brain Structure and Function
• Nervous System Structure
• Fight or Flight Reaction

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Neurons

• Structure of Neurons
• Soma
• Dendrites
• Axon
• Axon terminals
• Synapses
• Electrochemical Communication
• Action Potential
• Neurotransmitters

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Neurotransmission
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How SSRIs Work
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Neurons
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Function of Neurotransmitters (and Medication)

• Agonists, Antagonists, Inverse Agonists
• Serotonin (Many, SSRIs)
• Widespread, esp. in cortex
• Behavior, mood, thought
• GABA (Benzodiazepines)
• Anxiety and stress reduction
• Muscle relaxation
• Reduced arousal and emotion (increased passivity)

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Function of Neurotransmitters (and Medication) (2)

• Norepinephrine (Autonomic Functions)
• aka noradrenaline
• Indirect effects
• Dopamine
• Overlap with Serotonin Circuits
• Motor behavior
• Exploratory, Pleasure-Seeking
• Schizophrenia (too much)
• Parkinsons Disease (too little)

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Divisions of the Brain

• Hindbrain
• Medulla Heart rate, blood pressure, respiration
• Pons Regulates sleep stages
• Cerebellum Involved in physical coordination
• Midbrain
• Coordinates movement with sensory input
• Contains parts of the reticular activating system
  (RAS)
• Forebrain (Cerebral Cortex)
• Location of most sensory, emotional, and
  cognitive processing
• Two hemispheres joined by the corpus callosum

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Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex

• Frontal
• Thinking and reasoning abilities, memory
• Parietal
• Touch recognition
• Occipital
• Integrates visual input
• Temporal
• Recognition of sights and sounds and long-term
  memory storage

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Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex
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The Endocrine System

• Hormones
• The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenalcortical Axis
  (HYPAC axis)
• Integration of endocrine and nervous system
  function

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Implications (cont.)

• Causal Connection?
• Experience Can Change Brain Structure and
  Function
• Medications and Psychotherapy Can Change Brain
  Structure and Function
• Filling Fallacy and Aspirin Analogy
• Cavities caused by lack of metal in tooth
• Headache caused by lack of aspirin
• Beware of the typical assumption

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Psychological Factors

• Behavioral Models
• Learned (reinforced/punished) Behavior
• Cognitive Models
• Faulty Thought Processes (e.g., attributions)
• Social Learning Theory
• Observational Learning
• Psychoanalytic Theory
• Unconscious causes

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Developmental Factors

• Age and expectations
• Eriksons Theory
• Adjusting to Transitions

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Social Factors

• Interpersonal Relationships
• Social Support
• Familial Factors
• Beyond genetics
• Siocioeconomic
• Impact of poverty
• Some issues unrelated to SES

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Cultural Factors

• Norms, Beliefs, Expectations
• Influence the form and expression of normal and
  abnormal behavior
• Culture-bound Syndromes
• Amok, Koro, Witiko, Hikikomori , Latah
• Anorexia Nervosa
• Gender Effects
• Powerful, but unclear effects