Biological Paradigm (Week 2)

Question 1

paradigm

Answer 1

• set of basic assumptions
• a general perspective that defines how to conceptualize and study a subject, how to gather and interpret relevant data, how to think about a particular subject

Question 2

Role of Paradigms

Answer 2

• Specify which problems scientists will investigate and how they will go about the investigation
• Injects inevitable biases into definition and collection of data
• May also affect interpretation of facts

Question 3

Biological paradigm

Answer 3

• Mental disorders are caused by aberrant (deviant) biological processes
• Dominant paradigm from late 1800s until about middle of 20th century

Question 4

Behavioural Genetics

Answer 4

• Study of individual differences in behaviour that are attributable in part to differences in genetic makeup
  Different methods:
• family method
• twin method
• adoptees method

Question 5

Family method (behavioural genetics)

Answer 5

• Can be used to study a genetic predisposition among members of a family because average number of genes shared by 2 blood relatives in known
• If a predisposition for a mental disorder can be inherited, study of the family should reveal a relationship between the number of shared genes and prevalence of the disorder in relatives

Question 6

Twin method (behavioural genetics)

Answer 6

• Monozygotic (MZ) twins and dizygotic (DZ) twins are compared
• Begin with diagnosed cases and search for presence of the disorder in other twin
• When MZ concordance rate is higher than DZ rate, characteristic studied is said to be heritable

Question 7

Adoptees method (behavioural genetics)

Answer 7

• Study children with abnormal behaviours who were adopted
• Has the benefit of eliminating effects of being raised by disordered parents
  Ex. if high frequency of panic disorders were found in children reared apart from parents who also had panic disorder, we would have support for theory that there is a genetic predisposition

Question 8

Corpus callosum

Answer 8

• connects the two hemispheres
• plays role in inter-hemispheric communication
• allows both sides of brain to share information and coordinate activity

Question 9

basal ganglia

Answer 9

• control behavioural patterns
• motor control
• procedural memory

Question 10

Thalamus

Answer 10

• interface between cortex and rest of nervous system
• receives sensory information and relays it to appropriate areas of cerebral cortex
• plays role in attention

Question 11

Hypothalamus

Answer 11

• maintains homeostasis
• control of endocrine (hormone) system
• emotion

Question 12

Hippocampus

Answer 12

• learning
• memory (declarative and explicit)
• spatial navigation

Question 13

Cerebellum

Answer 13

• coordinates movement and balance
• posture

Question 14

Brainstem

Answer 14

• control of autonomic (unconscious) bodily functions
• controls basic life functions

Question 15

Spinal cord

Answer 15

• nerves going to and from rest of body
• relays signals between the brain and body

Question 16

Deep Brain Stimulation

Answer 16

• implanting electrodes into specific areas of the brain
• deliver electrical impulses that help regulate abnormal brain activity
• can be used to manage motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease

Question 17

Anxiolytics

Answer 17

• type of psychoactive drug
• used primarily to reduce anxiety symptoms

Question 18

Psychostimulants

Answer 18

• increase activity in the central nervous system (CNS), enhancing alertness, attention, and energy
• can be used for ADHD

Question 19

Antipsychotics

Answer 19

• used to treat psychotic disorders
  ex. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder

Question 20

Evaluation of Biological Paradigm

Answer 20

• reductionism: view that whatever is being studied can and should be reduced to its most basic elements or constituents
• does not take whole person or external factors into account