Chapter 2

An Integrative Approach to Psychopathology

Models of Approach

OOne-Dimensional ModelsOSingle cause, operating in

isolationO Ignores critical information

OMultidimensional ModelsOSystemicOSeveral independent

inputs that become interdependent

OCauses cannot be considered out of context

Components of Multidimensional Models

OBiological Factors OBehavioral FactorsOCognitive FactorsOEmotional InfluencesOSocial FactorsODevelopmental FactorsOAll of these interact

interdependently

Biology: The Influence of Genes

What are genes?◦ Functional sections of

DNA located on chromosomes

How do they influence our risk for psychopathology?◦ Increase or decrease

risk for psychopathology Polygenetic influences

Multiple genes interact

◦ Often interact with environmental factors Example: nutrition and

height

The Study of Genes and Behavior Quantitative genetics

accounts for the effects of several genes on a phenotype◦ Estimates “heritability,”

but does not involve measuring genes Relies on twin-studies,

mostly

Molecular genetics accounts for the influence of specific genes ◦ Involves measuring

specific genes and determining their specific influence DNA collected via saliva,

blood, or cheek cells

How Else Do Genes Contribute to Psychopathology?

Diathesis-Stress model:◦ Diathesis:

Inherited tendency to express traits/behaviors Usually genetic

◦ Stress: Life events or contextual variables Environmental

◦ Effects of stress (environment) on psychopathology depend on one’s diathesis (genes) Genes can make a person more or less susceptible to negative effects of environment

The Diathesis-Stress Model: Illustration

How Else Do Genes Contribute to Psychopathology?

Epigenetics: Environments affect gene expressionOActivation of dormant genesOhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=Fj4d-9Jgl6g

Biology: Neuroscience and Psychopathology

OThe Field of NeuroscienceOThe role of the nervous system in

disease and behavior

OHuman Nervous System (2 Branches)OCNS

OBrain and spinal cordOPNS

OSomatic and autonomic branches

Overview: Neuroscience and Brain Structure

OTwo main parts:OBrain stem – basic functionsOForebrain –higher cognition

Divisions of the Brain StemOHindbrain

OMedulla – Heart rate, blood pressure, respiration

OPons – Regulates sleep stagesOCerebellum –physical coordination

OMidbrainOCoordinates movement with sensory

inputOContains parts of the reticular

activating system (RAS)

Brain Stem and Forebrain Connections

O Thalamus and hypothalamusO Relays between brain stem and forebrainO Behavioral and emotional regulation

O Limbic systemO Emotions, basic drives, impulse controlO Strong links with psychopathology

O Basal gangliaO Motor activity

O http://www.g2conline.org/?gclid=CIa4pvrL47YCFQNlMgodOG0ACw

Divisions of the Forebrain

OForebrain (Cerebral Cortex)OMost sensory, emotional, and

cognitive processing

OTwo specialized hemispheresOLeft – verbal, math, logicORight – perceptual

Neuroscience and the Brain Structure

O Lobes of the Cerebral CortexO Frontal

OThinking and reasoning abilities, memory

O Temporal OSight and sound recognition, long-term

memory storage

O Parietal OTouch recognition

O Occipital OIntegrates visual input

Major Structures of the Brain

Neuroscience: The Peripheral Nervous System

OPNS - SomaticOVoluntary muscles and movement

OPNS - AutonomicOSympathetic (activating)

OE.g., increase heart rateOParasympathetic (normalizing)

OE.g., decrease heart rateOBoth divisions regulate:

OCardiovascular system/body temperature

OEndocrine system/digestion

Neuroscience: The Peripheral Nervous System

O The Endocrine System O Hormones

O The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenalcortical Axis (HPA axis)O Integration of endocrine

and nervous system

O Involved in stress response e.g., fight or flight

Neurons The Neuron (aka nerve cells)- basic

building block of nervous system◦ Soma◦ Dendrites ◦ Axon◦ Axon terminals◦ Synaptic cleft

Function: Electrical Communication: Chemical

◦ Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters

O Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) GABA – inhibitoryO Implicated in anxiety and its treatment

OBenzodiazepines are tranquilizers that act as GABA agonists.OAgonist vs. antagonist.

Ohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pfG6yHAQ5U

O NorepinephrineO Respiration, reactions, alarm responseO Implicated in panic

Neurotransmitters

OSerotoninORegulates behavior, moods, thought

processesO Implicated in depression and many

other forms of psychopathology

ODopamineO Implicated in schizophreniaOAlso associated with reward

processing and impulsivity

Neurotransmitters

Medication Effects on Serotonin

Neuroscience and Psychopathology

OPsychosocial influences on the brainOPsychotherapy and functional

normalization in OCD

Cognitive ApproachesOcognitive approaches: identification

and modification of maladaptive thoughts• Aaron Beck (cognitive therapy)• Albert Ellis (rational emotive behavior

therapy)

Situation

Emotions

Thoughts

Behavior

OLearned helplessness (Seligman)O Implicated in depression and anxietyORelates to one’s belief that they are

not in control

Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences