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Psychopathology > Midterm 2 > Flashcards

Midterm 2 Flashcards

1
Q

List the 4 components of the scientific method

A

Theory
Prediction
Experiment (manipulation)
Observation

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2
Q

Why are case studies not ideal for research? Three reasons

A

Doesn’t follow scientific method (no manipulation)
Confounding variables ∴ low internal validity
Relies on observation and interviews

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3
Q

Define epidemiology

A

Study of the incidence (new cases during time period), distribution, and consequences of a particular issue in the pop

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4
Q

Define Single-Case Experimental Design and list 3 methods

A

Manipulation (experiment) on one individual (case)
Methods: repeated measures, withdrawal, multiple baselines

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5
Q

Repeated Measure Design (define and advantages)

A

Many measure taken before and after treatment to observe the level of bhvr change
Multiple measurements allows for observation of variability in day-to-day
Trend of change displayed by looking at wider time lapse

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6
Q

Withdrawal Design (procedure, pros + cons)

A

1) Take baseline measure
2) Introduce intervention
3) Withdraw intervention
Effective treatment: symptoms decrease with intervention (2) and return with withdrawal (3)

Advantage: can draw causal conclusions about treatment
Limitations: ethics and learned behaviour (can’t unlearn strategies)

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7
Q

Multiple Baselines Design

A

Focus on one behaviour at a time; introduce intervention to primary situation, observe differences between treated situation vs not

If intervention works in one setting/behaviour/interaction, then add on

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8
Q

Endophenotypes (define and 3 strategies)

A

Genetic mechanisms that contribute to symptoms of psychopathology

Family studies: determine familial aggregation of the proband (individual trait of interest)
Adoption: separate genetics from envmt
Twin studies: fraternal vs identical

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9
Q

Describe the 2 general strategies for locating a gene

A

Genetic Linkage Analysis: find link between inheritance of disorder and inheritance of genetic marker
Association studies: compare certain markers of a large group WITH disorder and an individual WITHOUT the disorder

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10
Q

Prospective studies

A

Record changes over time

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11
Q

Retrospective studies

A

Rely on patient/family recall

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12
Q

Describe 4 kinds of prevention research

A

Positive Development/Health Promotion:
- efforts to blanket entire population
- prevent future problems and promote protective behaviours

Universal Prevention:
- target certain risk factors in entire population

Selective Prevention:
- focus on specific at-risk group to avoid future problems

Indicated prevention:
- focus on individuals who have already shown warning signs of developing

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13
Q

Cross-Sectional Design (describe and cons)

A

Compare variable between different cohorts

Limitations:
- cohort effect (confounding of age, experience, era)
- can’t determine cause

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14
Q

Longitudinal Design (describe, pros + cons)

A

Follow same individuals to assess change over time

Pros:
- Eliminate cohort effects
- Determine individual changes

Cons:
- Costly and Time-consuming
- Drop outs
- Cross-generational effect

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15
Q

Combination of cross-sectional and longitudinal designs is called…

A

Sequential design: repeated study of dif cohorts over time

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16
Q

Anxiety (define and components)

A

Negative mood state characterized by physical tension and apprehension about the future

Manifestations:
- Somatic/Physiological: muscle tension, high HR, etc
- Subjective: unease, etc
- Behavioural: fidgeting, avoidance, etc

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17
Q

Fear (define)

A

Immediate alarm reaction to danger which activates the somatic nervous system (fight-or-flight)

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18
Q

Panic (define and 2 types of panic attacks)

A

Sudden, overwhelming reaction of intense fear or discomfort

2 types:
- Expected (cued): panic response to identified stimulus; more common is specific phobias and social anxiety disorder
- Unexpected (uncued): panic response to unconditioned stimuli; more common in panic disorder

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19
Q

Biological causes of anxiety

A

Inheritable tendency to be tense/uptight/anxious

Sets of genes that increase vulnerability to anxiety/panic, respectively (diathesis-stress model)

Specific Brain circuits and Neurotransmission (NT)
- low GABA receptors = high limbic activation
- Serotonergic NT system
- Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)
- Limbic system
- Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS)
- Fight-or-Flight

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20
Q

Contributions of limbic system to anxiety

A

Mediator between brainstem and cortex

Brain stem receives signals from fight-or-flight (SNS) and BIS

Abnormal top-down and bottom-up processing = anxiety

CRF affects hippocampus and amygdala by activating HPA axis

Low GABA receptors = increase firing of limbic system

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21
Q

Contributions of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) to anxiety

A

Activates HPA axis (inc cortisol)
Affects:
- Limbic system
- Locus coerulus
- PFC
- Dopaminergic NT system
- GABA
- Serotonergic systems

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22
Q

Psychological causes of anxiety

A

Sense of uncontrollability (fxn of upbringing and envmt)

Anxiety sensitivity (fear response to anxiety symptoms)

Panic: learned or false alarm (may not be a conscious trigger)

23
Q

Social causes of anxiety

A

Diathesis-stress model

Stress reaction runs in the family

24
Q

Integrated model for anxiety

A

Triple Vulnerability (diathesis) Theory
1) Generalized biological vulnerability (heritability)
- pessimism, irritability, drive
2) Generalized psychological vulnerability (perception of control)
- confidence, self-esteem, coping
3) Specific psychological vulnerability (learn from experience)

25
Q

Comorbidity - anxiety

A

50% of ppl with anxiety have multiple types of anxiety and/or depression

Anxiety increases risk of:
- physical conditions/disorders
- substance abuse

Risk of suicide is increased with anxiety disorder and panic disorder (comparable to MDD)

26
Q

Characteristics of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

A

Excessive anxiety/worry about minor, everyday events

Doesn’t result in a solution, ∴ decreased productivity

Can’t stop despite awareness of problem

Lower intensity of physiological measures (other than muscle tension) compared to other anxiety disorders

27
Q

Causes of GAD

A

1) Generalized biological vulnerability + generalized psychological vulnerability + false alarm reaction =>
2 ) stress =>
3) anxious apprehension =>
4) worry process =>
5a) Intense cognitive processing => poor problem orientation (threat not challenge)
5b) Avoidance of negative affect => restricted autonomic response and no adaptation
6) GAD

Cognitive characteristics:
- intolerance of uncertainty (more than other anx disorders)
- positive beliefs about worry (∴ maintain)

Acute awareness of potential threat, esp if personal, is automatic/unconscious

28
Q

Treatment of GAD

A

Pharmacological: effective in short-term
- Benzodiazepines best for temp crisis
Psychological:
- Cognitive therapy + coping techniques (problem solving)
- Psychosocial therapy
- Mindfulness + meditation

29
Q

Panic Disorder vs Agoraphobia

A

Often comorbid, but not always

Panic disorder is recurrent and unexpected, with peak of symptoms occurring within a few minutes
- 3.7% of pop

Agoraphobia is a fear of situations that may induce panic without easy escape
- public transport, open spaces, enclosed spaces, lines/crowds, outside alone
- 5.3% of pop

30
Q

Interoceptive Avoidance (define)

A

avoidance of internal physical sensations that resemble the start of a panic attack (e.g. exercise)

31
Q

Onset of panic disorder + agoraphobia

A

early adult life

32
Q

Causes of panic disorder with agoraphobia

A

1) Gen. psych + bio vulnerability =>
2) Stress (life events) =>
3) False alarm => somatic sensations => learned alarm
4) Specific psych vulnerability (fear of symptoms)
5) Anxious apprehension =>
6) panic disorder and agoraphobia

33
Q

Treatment for panic disorder and agoraphobia

A

Pharmacology (short-term)
Psychological:
- exposure (reduce avoidance)
- coping mechs (CBT)
- panic control treatment (exposure to interoceptive sensations + cognitive therapy + CBT)

34
Q

Specific Phobia (define and characteristics)

A

Irrational fear of specific object/situation that interferes with function

Phobic stimulus produces immediate rxn
Active avoidance
Rxn out of proportion to context

35
Q

5 subtypes of specific phobia (plus 1 extra)

A

1) Animal
2) Natural envmt (e.g. storm)
3) Blood-injection-injury
- greatest heritability
- dif physiological rxn
4) Situational (e.g. planes)
5) Other (e.g. illness)
+ separation anxiety (specific to kids)

36
Q

Behavioural theories of specific phobias

A

Evolutionary: “prepared classical conditioning”
- Watson experiment with Little Albert
- May be adaptive fear (sharks) expressed in maladaptive manner (never going in water)

Operant conditioning: avoidance to decrease anxiety, reinforces anxiety bhvr

37
Q

Social Anxiety disorder (define and characteristics)

A

Marked fear/anxiety focused on one or more social/performance situations

Performance only: restricted to speaking or performing in public

Severely affects everyday life
Fear of negative evaluation (exaggerate likelihood and cost)

38
Q

Treatments for SAD

A

Social Skills Training
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapies
- Exposure (group therapy)
- Modelling
- Cognitive restructuring (replace maladaptive thots)

39
Q

Obsession

A

Intrusive and mostly nonsensical thoughts/images/urges

40
Q

Compulsion

A

Repeated behaviours used to suppress and relieve obsessions
Not always a clear link between the obsession and compulsion (magical thinking)

41
Q

4 main types of OCD

A

1) Symmetry/Exactness
2) Forbidden thots/actions (aggression, sexual, religious)
3) Cleaning/contamination
4) Hoarding

42
Q

Onset of OCD

A

adolescence to 20s (earlier onset for males)

43
Q

Biological Theories of OCD

A

Fronto-striato-thalamic circuit (decision-making, learning, habits)
- overactive in OCD –> dec inhibition

44
Q

Psychological theories of OCD

A

Impulses are part of human nature, but people with OCD will dwell on and exaggerate them

45
Q

Cognitive theories of OCD

A

Moralistic thinking/feelings of responsibility –> thought-action fusion = equate thots + actions
Believe they SHould be able to control thots
Depression/anxiety makes minor events likely to invoke OCD thoughts (comorbidity)

46
Q

Behavioural theories of OCD

A

Operant conditioning (compulsions are negatively reinforced)

47
Q

Consequences of experiencing stressors (traumatic experience)

A

PTSD & Acute Stress Disorder

48
Q

Diagnostic criteria for PTSD (vs acute stress disorder)

A

Exposed to actual or threatened death, injury, sexual violence:
- Direct experience
- Direct witness
- Learning of an event to close family or friends
- Repeated exposure to aversive details of an event (e.g., first responders collecting human remains).

Requires the presence of 4 types of symptoms:
1. Intrusive symptoms (flashbacks or dreams)
2. Avoidance (internal or external)
3. Negative alterations in cognitions (memory) or mood (lack of +ve emotion)
4. Alterations in arousal and reactivity (typically inc)

Duration OVER one month

Acute stress disorder: same diagnostic criteria EXCEPT duration UNDER one month

49
Q

Sociocultural factors of PTSD

A

Severity
Duration
Proximity
Social support

50
Q

Psychological factors of PTSD

A

Personal Assumptions: shattered from experience
- personal Invulnerability: just world hypothesis
Preexisting Distress (anx, depression)
Coping Styles

51
Q

PTSD Diathesis

A

Biological Factors
- Amygdala hyperactivity (emotions + memory)
- Hippocampus shrinkage (learning + memory)
- “Fight or Flight” response

Genetics

52
Q

PTSD Treatment

A

EXPOSURE! (CBT)
- Confront fear => process distressing memories => cognitive change => dec symptoms
- In-vivo: imaginal, re-scripting nightmares

53
Q

Greatest predictor of development of PTSD

A

Severity, proximity, & duration of trauma

Psychopathology (2 decks)

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