Multidimensional Integrative Approach

 Psychopathology:

 Biological roots

 Psychological roots

 Socio-cultural roots
An Integrative Approach to
Psychopathology  As opposed to one dimensional perspectives

Chapter 2
Abnormal Psychology

Influences Genetic Contributions to Psychopathology

 Traits are influenced by our genetic endowment

 Behavioral: emotions  Social: familial/peer

become associated with influences, cultural context  Polygenetic inheritance: psychological characteristics are
situations influenced by many genes, which interact with the
 Developmental: “critical environment; each gene has a very small effect
 Biological: inherited periods”- we may be
traits/genetic contributions particularly susceptible due
to developmental timing
 Emotional: influences how
we think about and
respond to situations

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Genetic Contributions to Psychopathology Study of Genes and Behavior
 Twin studies:
 Environmental contexts and experiences determine
whether or not genes are expressed or “turned on”  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)

Brain Plasticity Diathesis-Stress Model

 Research: the structure and functioning of the brain is  We inherit tendencies toward particular behavioral traits
continually shaped by experience which may become activated during times of stress

 Early childhood: deprivation  Particular life events may trigger the symptoms of a disorder

 Adulthood: exposure to stress/trauma; effects of

therapy/learning, etc.

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 Genes and Environments
Diathesis-Stress Model Influence Each Other
 Example:  Our genetic vulnerability may increase the chance that
we will experience stress
 Individual with a genetic vulnerability, a history of childhood
abuse, and current stress in adulthood  Example: we may have a personality trait/temperament that
draws us toward stressful environments and relationships,
 These factors interact to influence the development of symptoms
which lead to depression

 Niche-picking: genes may lead us to “select” certain

environments

Recent Research:
Genetic Contributions Summarizing Genetic Contributions
 Genetic contributions to disorders may be overstated in  Genes must always be understood in combination with
the research environments (nature + nurture)

 Some undermine the importance of environments in the  Maladaptive environments may impact us more or less
expression of genes depending on our genetic inheritance

 The critical role of early environments and experiences

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 Understanding Neurons
The Neuron  140 billion neurons in the brain

 Transmit information; chemical and electrical events

 Neurotransmitters: chemicals affecting the brain and

body; implicated in psychopathology

Fig. 3.8

Neurotransmitters Overview: Neurotransmitters

 An increasingly complex picture  GABA (inhibitory): affects information transmission-
 Not just “too much or too little”- neurotransmitters affect GABA tends to reduce anxiety- anti-anxiety meds allow
information processing
more GABA to attach to receptors

 Serotonin: information processing and mood regulation-

 Psychotropic medications may block or inhibit the different effects depending on the area of the brain
production of neurotransmitters, or may increase
production

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Overview: Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitters
 Dopamine: has a general effect, allowing other  New hypotheses and findings:
neurotransmitters to function; associated with
pleasure seeking; revision to the “dopamine  Genetic contributions may affect patterns of
hypothesis” neurotransmitter activity, which may influence personality
characteristics and behaviors

 Norepinephrine: does not appear to directly link to

 Environments and experiences can shape and change
psychopathology, but works with other
neurotransmitter activity over time- brain scans with
neurotransmitters; associated with fear responses, patients receiving therapy
blood pressure, and heart rate

Neurotransmitters Brain Changes- Learning and Experience

 Placebo effect:  Learning/experience influences the structure of the
neurons and the number of receptors
 The brain circuits/neurotransmitter activity change based on
our expectations
 Studies:
 Active vs. inactive rats- active rats have more neural
connections and more active brains
 Deprivation/enrichment: brain scans of children

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 Lessons from Behavioral and Cognitive
Science
Dendritic Spreading  The manner in which we process information shapes the
learning and maintenance of certain behaviors

 Events become “paired” and associated with each other

Fig. 3.11

Lessons from Behavioral and Cognitive New Research:

Science Learned Optimism
 Learned Helplessness: Seligman  Seligman- we function better psychologically and
physically when we have hope, positive beliefs about
 When we give up and stop trying to cope ourselves, and positive attitudes

 In response to stress that we perceive as beyond our control

 The mind-body connection

 Based on our attributions

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Emotions Emotions
 Emotions contribute to the development of  Research on suppression: activates the sympathetic
psychopathology nervous system (responsible for fight or flight responses)

 Alarm reactions: fight or flight responses  Suppression is linked with psychopathology

 Our emotional appraisals of a situation shape our

reactions (behaviors)

The Role of Culture The Role of Culture

 Culture shapes what we learn to fear, expect, believe, etc.  Culture shapes our constructions of gender

 Example: case studies of Voodoo death  Perspectives on gender shape what we find socially acceptable

 Cultures have difference constructions of psychopathology  Example: men and experiences of fear and emotion; women and body
image

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Social Relationships and
Mental Health The Role of Social Stigma
 Research: the experience of social support affects life  The stigma of labels can affect individuals affected by
expectancy mental health problems

 Physical and mental health is influenced by the quality and

 Beliefs about moral weakness and unpredictability/aggression
extent of our social relationships

 Research: having a pet has been shown to lower heart rate and
blood pressure

Developmental Considerations Conclusions

 Developmental stages and prior experience shapes the  New research findings are changing our understanding of
experience of psychopathology psychopathology

 Equifinality: the notion that there are multiple pathways  A multidimensional perspective is needed to understand
and interacting factors that influence the development of
the development of psychological disorder
psychopathology