Lecture 1.1

Question 1

What is psychopharmacology?

Answer 1

The study of the effects of both legal and illegal drugs on mental health and behaviour.

Question 2

Why will there always be an overlap between pharmacological and psychosocial factors?

Answer 2

Because manipulating one can lead to changes in the other, like a “chicken/egg” relationship.

Question 3

What assumption is the definition of psychopharmacology grounded on?

Answer 3

That every thought, emotion, and behavior involves both psychological and chemical processes.

Question 4

When understanding psychopharmacology, what questions does it allow us to answer?

Answer 4

What is the link between our chemistry and traditional psychological terms, and which is better for explaining/treating psychological dysfunction?

Question 5

Do the goals of psychopharmacology and psychology differ? How do their approaches differ?

Answer 5

Their goals are similar (understanding/manipulating mood, etc.), but psychopharmacology uses drugs, while psychology uses psychological techniques.

Question 6

Why is it important that psychologists understand psychopharmacology?

Answer 6

Because it’s essential for understanding the chemical basis of human behavior, drug abuse, and interactions with drug treatments.