PSYCH 340: Chapter 2
Define paradigm.
A set of concepts and methods used to collect and interpret data.
What is the key factor of the biological paradigm?
We should treat mental illness no different than any other illness.
Three components of behavioral genetics:
- Genotype
- Phenotype
- Genetic polymorphism
What is an allele?
DNA codings that occupy the same position or location on a chromosome.
Linkage analysis (study of how genes are expressed as they're passed on): Family method:
Used to study genetic predisposition among members of a family (looking at probands).
Linkage analysis: Twin method
Used to study monozygotic and dizygotic twins' DNA to determine if twins have same genetic predisposition.
Linkage analysis: Adoptee method:
Used to study twins who have been separated during adoption.
Four major parts of the neuron:
- Cell body (soma)
- Dendrites
- Axons (one or more; different in length)
- Axon terminals
Define neurotransmitter (NT):
Chemical substance that allows a nerve impulse to cross the synapse.
What is the purpose of NT reuptake?
Reuptake occurs when too much of the NT was released from the vesicles. The NT is 'recycled' and pumped back into the presynaptic cell.
Name and briefly explain some treatments proposed in the biological paradigm.
- Drug therapy: inhibits/triggers NT release and reuptake
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): shock therapy; provokes seizures to promote NT production
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- Psychosurgery: not used often unless specific brain region is affected
2 advantages of biological paradigm treatments:
- Highly influential in psychiatry
- More medication = less psychosurgery
Criticisms of treatments in biological paradigm:
- Reductionist (doesn't look at other perspectives)
- Issues finding the right dosage/medication
- Pathologizing things that aren't pathological
2 types of psychotherapy and briefly explain.
- Insight therapy: non-directive, allows client to gain understanding of what motivates their behavior
- Action-based therapy: directive, allows therapist to give tools and strategies to client. Goal is to make a change
4 components of classical conditioning:
- Unconditioned stimulus
- Unconditioned response
- Conditoned stimulus
- Conditioned response
Which type of behavior therapy can phobias be treated with?
Systematic desensitization
Explain the law of effect.
Positive behavior will result in positive consequences, while negative behavior will result in negative consequences.
Briefly describe the 4 ways to obtain a desired response in operant conditioning.
- Positive reinforcement
- Negative reinforcement
- Positive punishment
- Negative punishment
What is the goal of behavioral therapy?
Behavior modification
Three types of behavior therapy:
- Applied Behvioral Analysis: highlighting where things are going well
- Systematic desensitization: desensitizing patient from stimulus/distressing factor
- Aversive conditioning: an attractive stimulus is paired with an unpleasant one. Ex.: alcohol and vomitting
In the CBT, how are schemas changed?
Using accomodation.
In CBT, how do schemas stay the same?
Assimilation
Beck's triangular model of depression, components:
- View of self
- View of world
- View of future
What is the goal of CBT?
To learn a healthy response to maladaptive emotions and feelings; cope with feelings; alleviate distress; restructure cognitive processes.
Why might CBT not be enough for some clients?
It is short-term and goal oriented. It focuses on "patching up" the problem rather than getting rid of it. Clients learn to become functional with their distress, and not necessarily how to live a happy life.
Contributions of CBT:
- integration of two perspectives
- short term and gives valuable resources
- improving symptoms of depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, autism...
Criticisms of CBT:
- schemas aren't well defined
- unclear differences between both persepectives
- does not look into causes of behavior
Freud's view on psychopathology:
Psychopathology results from unconscious conflicts in the individual.
Briefly describe id, ego, superego.
Id: libido, since birth, "devil on the shoulder"
Ego: primarily conscious
Superego: operates as the conscience
List the 5 psychosexual stages.
- Oral
- Anal
- Phallic
-Latency
-Genital
Describe objective anxiety.
Realistic, moments of fear in real-life, threatening situations
Describe neurotic anxiety
Unrealistic, fealing of fear that is not connected to reality
Describe moral anxiety
Feeling guilty (the superego punishes you for not meeting expectations).
Which form of therapy uses free association?
Psychoanalytic therapy
What is it called when a therapist builds a (limited) emotional relationship with client?
Transference
Why is countertransference important?
Therapist must control their own emotions so they don't get transferred to client
Contributions of psychoanalytic paradigm:
- childhood experiences shape adult personality
- there are unconscious influences on behavior
- defense mechanisms are used to control stress and anxiety
Criticisms of psychoanalytic theory:
- Freud's theory and concepts may be unreliable
- Anecdotes in therapy sessions might not be grounded in objectivity
Briefly describe the humanistic paradigm.
Greater emphasis on client's freedom of choice; therapist uses empathy and understanding
What is the main difference between CBT and Rogers' Client-centered therapy?
in CCT, the goal is for the client to become happy and live a meaningful life. Wile in CBT, the client learns to become functional and cope with their distress.
Two key features of CCT:
- empathy
- unconditional positive regard
Two types of therapy in CCT:
Primary empathy (non-directive & active listening) and Advanced empathy (directive & guiding client)
Contributions of humanisitc paradigm:
- introduced positive psychology
- empirically based
Criticisms of humanistic paradigm:
- Inferences made by therapist might not be accurate
- self-awareness doesn't necessarily lead to change
- assumes people are innately good
Do therapists mainly stick to one paradigm, or do they use another approach? If so, what is it called?
Yes, an eclectic approach where they combine two or more paradigms.
4 parenting styles:
- Authoritative (ideal)
- Authoritarian
- Neglectful (worst)
- Permissive
Major risk factors for mental health problems (4)
- Parental mental health problems
- Intersectionality
- Cultural diversity
- Peer's influence
Define the diathesis stress model.
A constitutional predisposition to mental illness
3 factors that can predispose you to develop a disorder:
- Genetics
- Environment
- Psychological