Chapter 2
An Integrative Approach to
Psychopathology
Models of Approach
O One-Dimensional Models
O Single cause, operating in
isolation
O Ignores critical information
O Multidimensional Models
O Systemic
O Several independent inputs
that become interdependent
O Causes cannot be
considered out of context
Components of Multidimensional Models
O Biological Factors
O Behavioral Factors
O Cognitive Factors
O Emotional Influences
O Social Factors
O Developmental Factors
O All 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
expression
O Activation of dormant genes
O http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj4d9Jgl6g
Biology: Neuroscience and Psychopathology
O The Field of Neuroscience
O The role of the nervous system in disease and
behavior
O Human Nervous System (2 Branches)
O CNS
O Brain and spinal cord
O PNS
O Somatic and autonomic branches
Overview: Neuroscience and Brain Structure
O Two main parts:
O Brain stem – basic functions
O Forebrain –higher cognition
Divisions of the Brain Stem
O Hindbrain
O Medulla – Heart rate, blood pressure,
respiration
O Pons – Regulates sleep stages
O Cerebellum –physical coordination
O Midbrain
O Coordinates movement with sensory input
O Contains parts of the reticular activating
system (RAS)
Brain Stem and Forebrain Connections
O Thalamus and hypothalamus
O Relays between brain stem and forebrain
O Behavioral and emotional regulation
O Limbic system
O Emotions, basic drives, impulse control
O Strong links with psychopathology
O Basal ganglia
O Motor activity
O http://www.g2conline.org/?gclid=CIa4pvrL47YCFQNl
MgodOG0ACw
Divisions of the Forebrain
O Forebrain (Cerebral Cortex)
O Most sensory, emotional, and cognitive
processing
O Two specialized hemispheres
O Left – verbal, math, logic
O Right – perceptual
Neuroscience and the Brain Structure
O Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex
O Frontal
O Thinking and reasoning abilities, memory
O Temporal
O Sight and sound recognition, long-term memory
storage
O Parietal
O Touch recognition
O Occipital
O Integrates visual input
Major Structures of the Brain
Neuroscience: The Peripheral Nervous System
O PNS - Somatic
O Voluntary muscles and movement
O PNS - Autonomic
O Sympathetic (activating)
O E.g., increase heart rate
O Parasympathetic (normalizing)
O E.g., decrease heart rate
O Both divisions regulate:
O Cardiovascular system/body temperature
O Endocrine 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
Neurotransmitters
O Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) GABA – inhibitory
O Implicated in anxiety and its treatment
O Benzodiazepines are tranquilizers that act
as GABA agonists.
O Agonist vs. antagonist.
O http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-
pfG6yHAQ5U
O Norepinephrine
O Respiration, reactions, alarm response
O Implicated in panic
Neurotransmitters
O Serotonin
O Regulates behavior, moods, thought
processes
O Implicated in depression and many other
forms of psychopathology
O Dopamine
O Implicated in schizophrenia
O Also associated with reward processing and
impulsivity
Medication Effects on Serotonin
Neuroscience and Psychopathology
O Psychosocial influences on the brain
O Psychotherapy and functional normalization in
OCD
Cognitive Approaches
O cognitive approaches: identification and
modification of maladaptive thoughts
• Aaron Beck (cognitive therapy)
• Albert Ellis (rational emotive behavior therapy)
Thoughts
Emotions
Situation
Behavior
Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences
O Learned helplessness (Seligman)
O Implicated in depression and anxiety
O Relates to one’s belief that they are not in
control