Chapter 2: Contemporary Perspectives on Abnormal Behavior

Question 1

Neurons

Answer 1

Nerve cells that transmit signals or “messages” throughout the body

Question 2

Dendrites

Answer 2

The root-like structures at the ends of neurons that receive messages from other neurons.

Question 3

Axon

Answer 3

The part of a neuron along which nerve impulses travel.

Question 4

Terminals

Answer 4

The small branching structures at the tips of axons.

Question 5

Neurotransmitters

Answer 5

Transmit messages from one neuron to another

Question 6

Synapse

Answer 6

The junction between one neuron and another

Question 7

Receptor site

Answer 7

A part of a dendrite that is structured to receive a neurotransmitter.

Question 8

Myelin Sheath

Answer 8

The insulating layer or protective coating of the axon that helps speed transmission of nerve cells.

Question 9

Acetylcholine

Answer 9

• Control of muscle contractions and formation of memories

- Reduced levels found in patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Question 10

Dopamine

Answer 10

• Regulation of muscle contractions and mental processes involving learning, memory, and emotions
• Irregularities in dopamine transmission in the brain may be involved in the development of schizophrenia

Question 11

Norepinephrine

Answer 11

• Mental processes involved in learning and memory

- Irregularities linked with mood disorders such as depression

Question 12

Serotonin

Answer 12

• Regulation of mood states, hunger, and sleep

- Irregularities are implicated in depression and eating disorders

Question 13

Central nervous system

Answer 13

The body’s master control unit

Spinal cord

Brain

Question 14

Peripheral nervous system

Answer 14

The body’s link to the outside world

The autonomic nervous system

The somatic nervous system

Question 15

Autonomic nervous system

Answer 15

Regulates involuntary bodily processes, including heart rate, respiration, digestion, and pupil contraction; operates automatically without conscious direction

Question 16

Somatic nervous system

Answer 16

Carries sensory information from sensory organs to the central nervous system and relays motor (movement) commands to muscles; controls voluntary movements

Question 17

Part of the autonomic nervous system

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer 17

Mobilizes bodily resources in response to threat by speeding up heart rate and respiration and drawing stored energy from bodily reserves

Question 18

Part of the autonomic nervous system

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 18

Replenishes bodily resources by promoting digestion and bodily processes

Question 19

Hindbrain

Answer 19

Medulla – An area of the hindbrain involved in regulation of heartbeat, respiration, and blood pressure.

Pons – A structure in the hindbrain involved in body movements, attention, sleep, and respiration.

Cerebellum – A structure in the hindbrain involved in motor behavior, coordination, and balance.

Question 20

Midbrain

Answer 20

Midbrain – Lies above the hindbrain, and has nerve pathways linking the hindbrain to forebrain.

• Reticular activating system (RAS) – Starts in hindbrain, rises through midbrain and into lower part of forebrain.
• RAS is a brain structure involved in processes of attention, sleep, and arousal.

Question 21

Forebrain

Answer 21

Thalamus – Relays sensory information to the cortex and involved in processes related to sleep and attention.

Hypothalamus – Regulates body temperature, emotion, and motivation.

Limbic system – Forebrain structures involved in emotional processing, memory, and basic drives such as hunger, thirst, and aggression.

Basal ganglia – Neurons at the base of the forebrain involved in regulating postural movements and coordination.

Cerebrum – Consists of the two cerebral hemispheres, responsible for higher mental functions. Surface area called cerebral cortex.

Question 22

Cerebral Cortex

Answer 22

Part of brain responsible for higher mental functions. Each hemisphere is divided into four lobes.

Question 23

Four basic lobe structures in the cerebral cortex

Answer 23

Frontal – Speaking, muscle movements, planning, organization (often called executive functioning skills), and attention.

Parietal – Receives sensory input (auditory and visual) such as touch, temperature, and pain.
- Role in motor coordination (can usually assess through examining handwriting or replicating an image with puzzle pieces).

Occipital – Receives visual information (what we see through our eyes).

Temporal – Receives auditory information, damage could impact memory capacities.

Question 24

Social causation model

Answer 24

A belief that social stressors, such as poverty, account for the increased risk of severe psychological disorders among people of lower socioeconomic status relative to those of higher socioeconomic levels.

Example: Living in persistent poverty = Greater level of social stress = Greater risk of psychological disorders.

Question 25

Downward drift hypothesis

Answer 25

A theory that attempts to explain the link between low socioeconomic status and behavior problems by suggesting that problem behaviors lead people to drift downward in social status. Example: Alcohol/illegal drug use = movement towards low SES = more significant behavior problems.

Question 26

Diathesis-stress model

Answer 26

A model that assumes that abnormal behavior problems involve the interaction of 1) a vulnerability or predisposition and 2) stressful life events or experiences

Question 27

Examples of predisposition and environmental stressors

Answer 27

Diathesis - Inherited predisposition to develop the disorder Stress - Prenatal trauma, childhood sexual or physical abuse, family conflict, significant life changes

Question 28

The three major classes of psychotropic medications

Answer 28

Antianxiety drugs Antipsychotic drugs Antidepressants

Question 29

Antianxiety drugs

Answer 29

Drugs that combat anxiety and reduce states of muscle tension by reducing central nervous system activity. Clinical uses anxiety and insomnia Possible side effects drowsiness, fatigue, impaired coordination, nausea

Question 30

Antipsychotic drugs

Answer 30

Antipsychotic drugs (also called neuroleptics): used to treat schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. Clinical uses schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders ``` Possible side effects movement disorders (ex: tardive dyskinesia), drowsiness, restlessness, dry mouth, blurred vision, muscle rigidity ```

Question 31

Antidepressants

Answer 31

``` Four major classes of antidepressants: tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) monoamine oxidase (MOA) selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) ``` Clinical uses depression and other psychological disorders (ex: panic disorder, social phobia, OCD, bulimia nervosa)

Question 32

Which class of medications had a significant impact on decreasing long-term hospitalizations?

Answer 32

Antipsychotic drugs

Question 33

Lithium

Answer 33

Used to treat mania and mood swings in people with bipolar disorder.

Question 34

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Answer 34

People with major depression show significant improvement following ECT. Generally considered a treatment of last resort. Electric shock is sent through the patient’s brain, sufficient to induce convulsions.

Question 35

Prefrontal lobotomy

Answer 35

Although no longer performed today, the most common form was the prefrontal lobotomy. Involved surgically severing nerve pathways linking the thalamus to the prefrontal lobes of the brain.

Question 36

What disorders are considered to be treated just as effectively with psychotherapy compared to drug therapy?

Answer 36

Some forms of psychotherapy may be as effective as drug therapy in treating anxiety disorders and depression.

Question 37

Frontal

Answer 37

Speaking, muscle movements, planning, organization (often called executive functioning skills), and attention.

Question 38

Parietal

Answer 38

Receives sensory input (auditory and visual) such as touch, temperature, and pain. - Role in motor coordination (can usually assess through examining handwriting or replicating an image with puzzle pieces).

Question 39

Occipital

Answer 39

Receives visual information (what we see through our eyes).

Question 40

Temporal

Answer 40

Receives auditory information, damage could impact memory capacities.

Question 41

Medulla

Answer 41

An area of the hindbrain involved in regulation of heartbeat, respiration, and blood pressure.

Question 42

Pons

Answer 42

A structure in the hindbrain involved in body movements, attention, sleep, and respiration.

Question 43

Cerebellum

Answer 43

A structure in the hindbrain involved in motor behavior, coordination, and balance.

Question 44

Reticular activating system (RAS)

Answer 44

Reticular activating system (RAS) – Starts in hindbrain, rises through midbrain and into lower part of forebrain. RAS is a brain structure involved in processes of attention, sleep, and arousal.

Question 45

Thalamus

Answer 45

Relays sensory information to the cortex and involved in processes related to sleep and attention.

Question 46

Hypothalamus

Answer 46

Regulates body temperature, emotion, and motivation.

Question 47

Limbic system

Answer 47

Forebrain structures involved in emotional processing, memory, and basic drives such as hunger, thirst, and aggression.

Question 48

Basal ganglia

Answer 48

Neurons at the base of the forebrain involved in regulating postural movements and coordination.

Question 49

Cerebrum

Answer 49

Consists of the two cerebral hemispheres, responsible for higher mental functions. Surface area called cerebral cortex.