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Biological Factors-Abnormal Psycology-Lecture Handout, Exercises of Abnormal Psychology

This course points out abnormal behavior reasons and its form. Mostly it talks about amnestic disorder, mood disorder, developmental disorder, genetics, personality disorder, problems in childhood, psychological model, stress, substance disorder. This lecture includes: Biological, Factors, Genes, Major, Brain, Structures, Human, Nature, Temperament, Equifinality, Prejudice

Typology: Exercises

2011/2012

Uploaded on 08/08/2012

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Abnormal Psychology – PSY404 VU
©Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan
63
LESSON 14
CAUSES OF ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR
ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS OF ABNORMALITY
We have talked about the different models of Psychology; each model represents its own unique
interpretation of the etiology and treatment of abnormal behavior. After studying each model we extracted
(located) some important factors underlying abnormality. From the study of biomedical model we have
located the biological factors of abnormality similarly, after going through the Psychoanalytic model,
Humanistic Model, Behavioral model and Cognitive model we extracted the psychological factors,
emotional and social factors. All these factors, they combine together in Bio-Psycho-Social approach or
multidimensional integrative approach. The biological factors focus on genetics, the interaction of genes
and environment. This model also focuses on neuron, brain and spinal cord.
1-Biological Factors
a- Genes and its interaction with environment
b-The study of neuro-anatomy and neurophysiology is the study neuroscience. The Neuron
Billions of tiny nerve cells—neurons—form the basic building blocks of the brain. Each neuron
has four major anatomic components: the soma, or cell body, the dendrites, the axon, and the axon
terminal.
The dendrites branch out from the soma; they serve the primary function of receiving messages from
other cells. The axon is the trunk of the neuron. Messages are transmitted down the axon toward
other cells with which a given neuron communicates.
Scientists have found that disruptions in the functioning of various neurotransmitters are present
among some people with mental disorders.
An oversupply of certain neurotransmitters is found in some mental disorders, an undersupply in
other cases, and disturbances in reuptake in other psychological problems. Abnormalities in the
dopamine system in the brain may be involved in schizophrenia.
Other evidence links the availability of various neurotransmitters with depression, hyperactivity,
posttraumatic stress disorder, and many other psychological problems.
c- Major Brain Structures
Neuro-anatomists divide the brain into three subdivisions: the hindbrain, the midbrain, and the
forebrain.
Basic bodily functions are regulated by the structures of the hindbrain, which include the medulla,
pons, and cerebellum.
The medulla controls various bodily functions involved in sustaining life, including heart rate,
blood pressure, and respiration.
The pons serves various functions in regulating stages of sleep.
The cerebellum serves as a control center in helping to coordinate physical movements.
The midbrain also is involved in the control of some motor activities, especially those related to
fighting and sex.
The forebrain evolved more recently than the hindbrain and midbrain and, therefore, is the site of
most sensory, emotional, and cognitive processes. These higher mental processes of the forebrain
are linked with the midbrain and hindbrain by the limbic system.
The limbic system is made up of a variety of different brain structures that are central to the
regulation of emotion and basic learning processes.
d- Spinal cord is along bundle of neurons that carries messages to and from the body to the brain
that is responsible for a very fast, life saving reflexes.
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LESSON 14

CAUSES OF ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR

ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS OF ABNORMALITY

We have talked about the different models of Psychology; each model represents its own unique interpretation of the etiology and treatment of abnormal behavior. After studying each model we extracted (located) some important factors underlying abnormality. From the study of biomedical model we have located the biological factors of abnormality similarly, after going through the Psychoanalytic model, Humanistic Model, Behavioral model and Cognitive model we extracted the psychological factors, emotional and social factors. All these factors, they combine together in Bio-Psycho-Social approach or multidimensional integrative approach. The biological factors focus on genetics, the interaction of genes and environment. This model also focuses on neuron, brain and spinal cord.

1-Biological Factors a- Genes and its interaction with environment

  • b-The study of neuro-anatomy and neurophysiology is the study n euroscience. The Neuron Billions of tiny nerve cells— neurons —form the basic building blocks of the brain. Each neuron has four major anatomic components: the soma, or cell body, the dendrites, the axon, and the axon terminal.
  • The dendrites branch out from the soma; they serve the primary function of receiving messages from other cells. The axon is the trunk of the neuron. Messages are transmitted down the axon toward other cells with which a given neuron communicates.
  • Scientists have found that disruptions in the functioning of various neurotransmitters are present among some people with mental disorders.
  • An oversupply of certain neurotransmitters is found in some mental disorders, an undersupply in other cases, and disturbances in reuptake in other psychological problems. Abnormalities in the dopamine system in the brain may be involved in schizophrenia.
  • Other evidence links the availability of various neurotransmitters with depression, hyperactivity, posttraumatic stress disorder, and many other psychological problems. c- Major Brain Structures
  • Neuro-anatomists divide the brain into three subdivisions: the hindbrain, the midbrain, and the forebrain.
  • Basic bodily functions are regulated by the structures of the hindbrain , which include the medulla, pons, and cerebellum.
  • The medulla controls various bodily functions involved in sustaining life, including heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.
  • The pons serves various functions in regulating stages of sleep.
  • The cerebellum serves as a control center in helping to coordinate physical movements.
  • The midbrain also is involved in the control of some motor activities, especially those related to fighting and sex.
  • The forebrain evolved more recently than the hindbrain and midbrain and, therefore, is the site of most sensory, emotional, and cognitive processes. These higher mental processes of the forebrain are linked with the midbrain and hindbrain by the limbic system.
  • The limbic system is made up of a variety of different brain structures that are central to the regulation of emotion and basic learning processes.
  • d- Spinal cord is along bundle of neurons that carries messages to and from the body to the brain that is responsible for a very fast, life saving reflexes.

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2-PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS

  • Human Nature and Temperament
  • The writings of British psychiatrist John Bowlby greatly influenced psychologists’ views about the human need to form close relationships. The heart of Bowlby’s theory was the observation that children form attachments early in life—special and selective bonds with their caregivers.
  • Bowlby based his approach, known as attachment theory, on findings based on the study of animal behavior.
  • Research on the effects of insecure or anxious attachments —uncertain parent child relationships are a product of inconsistent and unresponsive parenting during the first year of life—is of particular relevance to the development of abnormal behavior.
  • The development of attachments, or more generally of affiliation with other members of the same species, is one of the two broad categories of social behaviors studied by psychologists.
  • One of the most important areas of research on individual differences in personality is the study of temperament, characteristic styles of relating to the world.
  • Individual differences in temperament may play a role in a number of psychological disorders, especially personality disorders and child behavior problems.
  • Emotions, internal feeling states, are essential to human experience and to our understanding of mental disorders.

Learning and Cognition Emotions, motivations, and temperamental styles can be modified, at least to some degree, by learning.

  • Cognitive theories like Albert Ellis’s REBT and Beck’s Depression theory suggests that distorted perceptions of reality cause people to become depressed.
  • A successful treatment based on this theory encourages depressed people to be more scientific and realistic in evaluating conclusions about themselves.

The Sense of Self Maslow’s theory of needs in which self actualization is given importance. Self-esteem , valuing one’s abilities, is another important and much discussed aspect of our sense of self. Evidence indicates that high self-esteem is more of a product of success; similarly low self-esteem may result from psychological problems.

Life Span Developments Life span developmental psychopathologists want to understand how different periods of development influence, how stress and other factors have an impact on mental disorders. Eric Erickson (1982) suggested that we go through eight major crises during our life and each crisis is influenced by biological maturation, social factors and the developmental stages we are passing through. Erickson believe, “we grow and change even beyond 65.” During older adulthood, we look back and view our lives as rewarding or as disappointing. Erickson’s developmental theory is more comprehensive and advanced as compared to Sigmund Freud’s.

Theory Developmental Stages Period of Growth Freud’s Psychosexual theory Five 1 st^ year to 12 years Erick Erickson’s developmental theory Eight 1 st^ year to 65 years and beyond

Equifinality Equifinality is a construct which we frequently use in developmental psychopathology to indicate that we must consider a number of paths to a given disorder e.g. if we like to study schizophrenia, we can study it its delusional symptoms, or its difficulty in focusing attention or the state of delirium of the schizophrenics.

Researchers are exploring the different pathways to a single disorder. docsity.com

Developmental Psychopathology

  • Developmental psychopathology is a new approach to abnormal psychology that emphasizes the importance of developmental norms which include a ge-graded averages—to determine what constitutes abnormal behavior.

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