Abnormal Psychology
Psychopathology: A Summary of Significant Terms and Their Definitions
Integrative Approach to Psychopathology
1. Multidimensional integrative approach - an approach where the biology and behavior of the
individual, as well as the cognitive, emotional, social, and cultural environment, because any
one component of the system inevitably affects the other components, forming a complex
network
● Systemic - any particular influence contributing to psychopathology cannot be
considered out of context
Influences
● Behavioral
● Biological
● Emotional
● Social Influences
● Developmental Influences
- developmental critical period: more or less reactive to a given situation or influence
Genetic Contributions to Psychopathology
2. Genes - are long molecules of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) at various locations on
chromosomes, within the cell nucleus
● Arranged 23 pairs of chromosomes
● 22 pairs - provide program or directions for the development of the body and brain
● 23rd pair - sex chromosomes (x and y)
● Gene dominance - occurs when one member of a gene pair is consistently
expressed over the other
● Polygenic -influenced my many genes
● Genome - an individual’s complete set of genes, more than 20,000
● Quantitative Genetics - sums up all the tiny effects across the genes w/o telling which
gene is responsible for that effect
● Molecular Genetics -examining on the actual structure of genes
3. Diathesis-stress model - individuals inherit tendencies to express certain traits or behaviors,
which may then be activated under conditions of stress
● Vulnerability - “turn on” specific genes
● Chemical transporter - a gene that produced substance, affects transmission of
serotonin in the brain
4. Gene-environment correlation model - a genetically determined tendency to create the very
environmental risk factors that trigger a genetic vulnerability
5. Epigenetics - the study of how the environment can change the gene expression
● Means on and around
Central Nervous System
6. Neuroscience - a study on how the brain and the nervous system function
● Neuroscientists - focus more on the connectivity between certain brain areas
7. Neuron - transmit information throughout the nervous system
Psychopathology: A Summary of Significant Terms and Their Definitions
Integrative Approach to Psychopathology
1. Multidimensional integrative approach - an approach where the biology and behavior of the
individual, as well as the cognitive, emotional, social, and cultural environment, because any
one component of the system inevitably affects the other components, forming a complex
network
● Systemic - any particular influence contributing to psychopathology cannot be
considered out of context
Influences
● Behavioral
● Biological
● Emotional
● Social Influences
● Developmental Influences
- developmental critical period: more or less reactive to a given situation or influence
Genetic Contributions to Psychopathology
2. Genes - are long molecules of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) at various locations on
chromosomes, within the cell nucleus
● Arranged 23 pairs of chromosomes
● 22 pairs - provide program or directions for the development of the body and brain
● 23rd pair - sex chromosomes (x and y)
● Gene dominance - occurs when one member of a gene pair is consistently
expressed over the other
● Polygenic -influenced my many genes
● Genome - an individual’s complete set of genes, more than 20,000
● Quantitative Genetics - sums up all the tiny effects across the genes w/o telling which
gene is responsible for that effect
● Molecular Genetics -examining on the actual structure of genes
3. Diathesis-stress model - individuals inherit tendencies to express certain traits or behaviors,
which may then be activated under conditions of stress
● Vulnerability - “turn on” specific genes
● Chemical transporter - a gene that produced substance, affects transmission of
serotonin in the brain
4. Gene-environment correlation model - a genetically determined tendency to create the very
environmental risk factors that trigger a genetic vulnerability
5. Epigenetics - the study of how the environment can change the gene expression
● Means on and around
Central Nervous System
6. Neuroscience - a study on how the brain and the nervous system function
● Neuroscientists - focus more on the connectivity between certain brain areas
7. Neuron - transmit information throughout the nervous system
