The Biological Approach To Psychopathology Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
0
Q

Assumptions of the biological model:

Abnormality is caused by biological factors. What is all behaviour associated with?

A

All behaviour is associated with changes in brain function

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
1
Q

What are approaches to psychopathology based on?

A

Different views of the CAUSE of abnormality. The models have different views about how abnormality comes about in the first place

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Assumptions of the biological model:

Abnormality is caused by biological factors. What is abnormal behaviour caused by?

A

Changes in either the structure of the brain or function of the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Assumptions of the biological model:
Abnormality is caused by biological factors. Give an example of a change in a specific part of the brain that can be linked to an eating disorder

A

A damages hypothalamus has been linked to anorexia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Assumptions of the biological model:

Abnormality is caused by biological factors. What are low and high levels of serotonin linked to?

A

Low levels are linked to depression. High levels are linked to anxiety

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Assumptions of the biological model: abnormality is inherited. How are abnormal genes inherited?

A

They are passed down from parents to children even though they may not be shown in every generation l

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Assumptions of the biological model: abnormality is inherited. What is a concordance rate?

A

Concordance rate is how likely a disorder is going to affect you based on genetics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Assumptions of the biological model: abnormality is inherited. What are used to establish concordance rates?

A

Family, twin and adoption studies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Assumptions of the biological model: abnormality is inherited. Give and example of a concordance rate for an abnormality

A

Holland et al (1988) found a 56% concordance rate for identical twins and only a 5% concordance rate for non identical twins in anorexia nervosa. This supports the idea of a genetic basis for abnormality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Evaluation of the biological model: strengths. What is the physiological evidence in support of the model

A

The use of brain scans and other modern techniques has identified and provided support for the biological aspects of many psychological disorders.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Evaluation of the biological model: strengths. What are the psychological disorders that have physiological evidence?

A

Depression seems to be associated with low levels of serotonin. Schizophrenia has been linked to over activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Evaluation of the biological model: strengths. How is success of its treatments a strength of the biological model

A

It has contributed to the formation of effective treatments like drug therapies such as ssri’s that reduce the effects of depression.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Evaluation of the biological model: strengths. How do SSRI’s work

A

Evaluation of the biological model: limitations. Is the biological model reductionist, if so why is it bad

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Evaluation of the biological model: limitations. Is the biological model reductionist, if so why is this a bad thing

A

It tries to explain psychological disorders by breaking them down to the most basic level. i.e in terms of biological changes in the brain rather than looking more generally at possible environmental influences.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Evaluation of the biological model: limitations. Why is it important to have a study of both biology and environmental influences

A

Because we know for example that depression is linked to low serotonin levels but we also know that these can be caused by environmental stresses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Evaluation of the biological model: limitations. No psychological disorder is purely genetic.

A

Although a genetic basis has been found for some psychological disorders. Concordance rates are never 100%. Eg gottesman and shields found a concordance rate of 50% for twins. If schizophrenia was entirely the product of genetic inheritance the figure would have to be 100%. You inherit a possibility of developing disorder but it only developed under stressful life conditions.