Chapter 2An Integrative Approach to Psychopathology

One-Dimensional vs. Multidimensional ModelsOne-Dimensional ModelsCould mean a paradigm, school, or conceptual approachCould mean an emphasis on a specific cause of abnormal behaviorMost paradigms are complex in considering causationProblems occur when information from other areas is ignored

Multidimensional ModelsInterdisciplinary, eclectic, and integrativeSystem of influences that cause and maintain sufferingDraws upon information from several sourcesView abnormal behavior as multiply determined

Multidimensional Models of Abnormal BehaviorBiological Influences Behavioral Influences Emotional InfluencesSocial InfluencesDevelopmental Influences

Multidimensional Models of Abnormal Behavior (cont.)Figure 2.1 Judys case one-dimensional or multidimensional models

Genetic Contributions to PsychopathologyPhenotype (observable) vs. Genotype (genetic makeup)Nature of GenesDeoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) The double helix23 pairs of chromosomesDominant vs. recessive genesDevelopment and behavior is often polygeneticGenetic Contribution to Psychopathology Less than 50%Epigenetics- the environment influences gene development

The Interaction of Genetic and Environmental EffectsEric Kandel and Gene-Environment InteractionsThe Diathesis-Stress ModelExamples: Blood-injury-injection phobia, alcoholismReciprocal Gene-Environment ModelExamples: Depression, impulsivityNon-Genomic Inheritance of BehaviorGenes are not the whole story

Neuroscience Contributions to PsychopathologyThe Field of NeuroscienceThe role of the nervous system in disease and behaviorThe Central Nervous System (CNS)Brain and spinal cordThe Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)Somatic and autonomic branches

Neuroscience Contributions to Psychopathology (cont.)Figure 2.4Divisions of the nervous system (from Goldstein, 1994)

Neuroscience and the Central Nervous System The NeuronSoma Cell bodyDendrites Branches that receive messages from other neuronsAxon Trunk of neuron that sends messages to other neuronsAxon terminals Buds at end of axon from which chemical messages are sentSynaptic cleft Small gaps that separate neuronsNeurons Function Electrically, but Communicate ChemicallyNeurotransmitters are the chemical messengers

Neuroscience and the Central Nervous System (cont.) Figure 2.5 Transmission of information from one neuron to another

Neuroscience and Major Neurotransmitters in PsychopathologyNorepinephrine (or noradrenaline)SerotoninDopamineGamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

Focus of many medications chemical imbalance hypothesis

Overview: Neuroscience and Brain Structure Two Main PartsBrainstem and forebrainThree Main DivisionsHindbrainMidbrainForebrain

Overview: Neuroscience and Brain Structure (cont.)Figure 2.6aThree divisions of the brain

Neuroscience and the Divisions of the BrainHindbrain Medulla Heart rate, blood pressure, respirationPons Regulates sleep stagesCerebellum Involved in physical coordinationMidbrainCoordinates movement with sensory inputContains parts of the reticular activating system (RAS)Forebrain (Cerebral Cortex)Location of most sensory, emotional, and cognitive processingTwo specialized hemispheres (left and right) joined by the corpus callosum

Neuroscience and the Divisions of the Brain (cont.)Figure 2.6bMajor structures of the brain

Neuroscience and Brain Structure Lobes of Cerebral CortexFrontal Thinking and reasoning abilities, memoryParietal Touch recognitionOccipital Integrates visual inputTemporal Recognition of sights and sounds, long-term memory storageLimbic SystemThalamus Receives and integrates sensory informationHypothalamus Controls eating, drinking, aggression, sexual activity

Neuroscience and the Divisions of the Brain (cont.)Figure 2.6b (cont.)Major structures of the brain

Neuroscience and the Brain Structure (cont.)Figure 2.6cThe limbic system

Neuroscience: Peripheral Nervous and Endocrine SystemsSomatic Branch of PNS: Controls voluntary muscles and movementAutonomic Branch of the PNSSympathetic and parasympathetic branchesRegulates cardiovascular system & body temperatureAlso regulates the endocrine system and aids in digestionThe Endocrine System: HormonesThe Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenalcortical Axis (HYPAC axis)Integration of endocrine and nervous system function

Neuroscience: Peripheral Nervous andEndocrine Systems (cont.)Figure 2.8 The sympathetic nervous system (red lines) and parasympathetic nervous system (blue lines)

Neuroscience: Peripheral Nervous andEndocrine Systems (cont.)Figure 2.9Location of some of the major endocrine glands

Neuroscience: Functions of Main Types of NeurotransmittersFunctions of NeurotransmittersAgonists, antagonists, and inverse agonistsMost drugs are either agnostic or antagonisticMain Types of Neurotransmitters Serotonin (5HT)Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)NorepinephrineDopamine

Neuroscience: Functions of MainTypes of Neurotransmitters (cont.)Figure 2.10Major serotonin pathways in brain

Neuroscience: Functions of MainTypes of Neurotransmitters (cont.)Figure 2.11 Manipulating serotonin in the brain

Neuroscience: Functions of MainTypes of Neurotransmitters (cont.)Figure 2.12Major norepinephrine pathways in brain

Implications of Neuroscience for PsychopathologyRelations Between Brain and Abnormal BehaviorExample: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)Experience Can Change Brain Structure and FunctionTherapy Can Change Brain Structure and FunctionMedications and psychotherapy

Psychological Contributions to Psychopathology Conditioning and Cognitive ProcessesRespondent and operant learningLearned helplessnessModeling and observational learningPrepared learningCognitive Science and the UnconsciousImplicit memory, blind sight, Stroop paradigmCognitive-Behavioral Therapy

The Contributions of Behavioraland Cognitive Science (cont.)Figure 2.14 Rescorlas experiment that showed contiguity

The Role of Emotion in PsychopathologyThe Nature of E-MotionTo e-licit or e-voke motionAction tendency different from affect and moodIntimately tied with several forms of psychopathologyComponents of Emotion Behavior, physiology, and cognitionExample of fearHarmful Side of Emotional DysregulationAnger, hostility, emotional suppression, illness, and psychopathology

The Role of Emotion in Psychopathology (cont.)Figure 2.15Emotion has three important and overlapping components: behavior, cognition, and physiology

Cultural, Social, and Interpersonal Factors in PsychopathologyCultural FactorsInfluence the form and expression of normal and abnormal behaviorGender EffectsExerts a strong and puzzling effect on psychopathologySocial RelationshipsFrequency and quality related to mortality, disease, and psychopathologyInterpersonal PsychotherapyStigma of Psychopathology is Culturally, Socially, and Interpersonally Situated

Life-Span and Developmental Influences Over PsychopathologyLife-Span Developmental PerspectiveAddresses developmental changesSuch changes influence and constrain what is normal and abnormalThe Principle of EquifinalityConcept in developmental psychopathologySeveral paths to a given outcome Paths may operate differentially at different developmental stages

Summary of the Multidimensional Perspective of PsychopathologyMultiple Causation Is the rule, not the exception in explaining normal and abnormal behaviorTake a Broad, Comprehensive, Systemic PerspectiveAddressing biological, psychological, social, cultural, and developmental factorsUseful in Understanding the Causes of Psychopathology and its Alleviation