Paradigms in Psychopathology (Ref: mochi_venti)

Question 1

What is the key difference between one-dimensional and multi-dimensional models?

Answer 1

One-dimensional traces behavior to a single cause (e.g., chemical imbalance); multi-dimensional involves multiple influences (biological, social, etc.) interacting in a feedback loop

Question 2

Why is context critical in the multi-dimensional model?

Answer 2

Components affect each other non-independently, forming a complex network.

Question 3

The __________ model explains Judy’s blood-injection-injury phobia as a result of emotional, cognitive, social, biological, and behavioral interactions.

Answer 3

multi-dimensional

Question 4

How do genes influence psychopathology?

Answer 4

They set developmental boundaries but rarely determine outcomes absolutely (except in rare disorders like Huntington’s).

Question 5

What is polygenic inheritance?

Answer 5

Traits/behaviors influenced by many genes, each with tiny effects, often interacting with the environment.

Question 6

Define “diathesis.”

Answer 6

A genetic vulnerability activated by environmental stress to produce a disorder

Question 7

The __________ model explains disorders via gene-environment interactions (e.g., stress “turning on” genetic vulnerabilities).

Answer 7

diathesis-stress

Question 8

How do extremely low levels of serotonin and low levels of serotonin manifest?

Answer 8

Low levels = aggression, suicide, impulsive overreacting, excessive sexual behavior; extremely low levels = less inhibition, instability, impulsivity, tendency to overreact.

Question 9

What is dopamine’s role in schizophrenia?

Answer 9

Overactive dopamine circuits may contribute to symptoms.

Question 10

__________ is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces anxiety (e.g., targeted by benzodiazepines).

Answer 10

GABA

Question 11

What does the limbic system regulate?

Answer 11

Emotions, learning, impulses, and basic drives (hunger, aggression)

Question 12

The __________ cortex synthesizes information from other brain regions to decide responses.

Answer 12

frontal

Question 13

What is learned helplessness?

Answer 13

Depression-like state when individuals perceive no control over stressors (Seligman & Maier).

Question 14

__________ learning involves observing others’ experiences to judge personal outcomes (Bandura).

Answer 14

Social

Question 15

How does epigenetics differ from genetic mutation?

Answer 15

Epigenetics alters gene expression (on/off states) via environmental factors (stress, diet) without changing DNA sequence.

Question 16

Why might two identical twins not both develop schizophrenia despite shared genes?

Answer 16

Environmental triggers (e.g., trauma, infections) may activate genetic vulnerabilities in only one twin.

Question 17

The __________ gene-environment model suggests genes may predispose individuals to seek out risk-triggering environments (e.g., impulsivity leading to high-risk behaviors).

Answer 17

correlation

Question 18

How does PKU illustrate gene-environment interaction?

Answer 18

Mental retardation occurs only if phenylalanine (environmental factor) is ingested due to an inherited metabolic defec

Question 19

Contrast the roles of the sympathetic vs. parasympathetic nervous systems.

Answer 19

Sympathetic = fight-or-flight (↑ heart rate); parasympathetic = rest-and-digest (↓ arousal).

Question 20

The __________ (brain region) regulates primal drives like hunger and aggression, while the __________ integrates sensory input for decision-making.

Answer 20

limbic system; prefrontal cortex

Question 21

Why might beta-blockers help anxiety?

Answer 21

They antagonize norepinephrine’s effects on beta-receptors, reducing physical symptoms (e.g., racing heart)

Question 22

How do SSRIs mechanistically treat depression?

Answer 22

They block serotonin reuptake → ↑ synaptic serotonin → improved mood regulation.

Question 23

How might learned optimism protect against stress?

Answer 23

Positive attributions buffer against perceived helplessness, reducing depression risk.

Question 24

What’s the role of cortisol in the HPA axis?

Answer 24

Stress hormone released by adrenal cortex it mobilizes energy but harms health if chronically elevated.

Question 25

Why might childhood trauma overwhelm genetic resilience?

Answer 25

Severe stress can dysregulate the HPA axis. epigenetic changes = long-term vulnerability.

Question 26

What is HPA Axis?

Answer 26

hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis. It is the cortical part of the adrenal glands which produces cortisol (stress hormone)

Question 27

What happens if the basal ganglia deteriorate?

Answer 27

Motor dysfunction (e.g., Huntington’s disease: tremors, jerky movements).

Question 28

Damage to the cerebellum would impair what?

Answer 28

Motor coordination (e.g., balance, smooth movements).

Question 29

Excess __________ activity is linked to schizophrenia, while low __________ is tied to impulsivity and depression.

Answer 29

dopamine; serotonin

Question 30

How does chronic stress affect telomeres?

Answer 30

Shortens them → accelerates cellular aging (linked to depression, early mortality).

Question 31

The __________ is the "master gland" that controls hormone release (e.g., growth hormone).

Answer 31

pituitary

Question 32

What did Seligman’s experiments show about helplessness?

Answer 32

Animals/people exposed to uncontrollable stress stop trying to escape → depression-like state.

Question 33

Learned __________ occurs when someone believes they have no control over stressors.

Answer 33

helplessness

Question 34

What is Bandura’s modeling theory?

Answer 34

Learning by observing others’ behaviors and consequences (e.g., children mimicking aggression).

Question 35

What is developmental critical period?

Answer 35

a time when we are more or less reactive to a given situation or influence than at other times

Question 36

Genes

Answer 36

long molecules of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) at various locations on chromosomes, within the cell nucleus that is composed of our genetic inheritance from our biological parents.

Question 37

What is Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Answer 37

It can result in mental retardation

Question 38

How many chromosomes and its pairs does a human has?

Answer 38

each normal human cell has 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs

Question 39

_____ of chromosomes provide programs or directions for the development of the body and brain

Answer 39

first 22 pairs

Question 40

On what pair in the chromosome linked to determining the sex?

Answer 40

23rd pair

Question 41

Define their chromosome: females: males:

Answer 41

females: XX males: XY

Question 42

X chromosome from ____ and Y chromosome from ____

Answer 42

Female;Male

Question 43

dominant gene

Answer 43

pair of genes that strongly influences a particular trait, and we need only one of them to determine

Question 44

recessive gene

Answer 44

must be paired with another recessive gene to determine a trait

Question 45

gene dominance

Answer 45

occurs when one member of a gene pair is consistently expressed over the other

Question 46

What is diathesis

Answer 46

diathesis is genetically based and the stress is environmental but that they must interact to produce a disorder

Question 47

Gene-Environment Correlation Model

Answer 47

genetic endowment increase the probability that an individual will experience stressful life events

Question 48

What is a Central Nervous System

Answer 48

It processes all information received from our sense organs and reacts as necessary

Question 49

its primary function is to facilitate the sending of messages to and from the brain

Answer 49

Spinal Cord

Question 50

The major component of CNS.

Answer 50

Brain

Question 51

Neurons

Answer 51

It transmit information throughout the nervous system. It is the smallest building blocks of the brain

Question 52

Parts of Neuron:

Answer 52

1. dendrites: have numerous receptors that receive messages in the form of chemical impulses from other nerve cells, which are converted into electrical impulses (action potentials) 2. axon: transmits electrical impulses to other neurons 3. synapses: connections between one neuron and another 4. terminal button: end of an axon 5. synaptic cleft: pace between the terminal button of one neuron and the dendrite of another

Question 53

hindbrain

Answer 53

- Contains the medulla, pons, and cerebellum regulates many automatic activities, such as breathing, heartbeat, and digestion

Question 54

midbrain

Answer 54

-coordinates movement with sensory input -contains parts of the reticular activating system contributes to processes of arousal and tension, such as whether we are awake or asleep

Question 55

thalamus and hypothalamus

Answer 55

located at the top of the brain stem (forebrain). It is involved with regulating behavior and emotion

Question 56

limbic system

Answer 56

helps regulate our emotional experiences and expressions, and our ability to learn and to control our impulses. It is also involved in sex, aggresion, hunger

Question 57

cerebral cortex

Answer 57

It is responsible for higher cognitive functions like thinking, language, and consciousness. The four major parts are the ff: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital.

Question 58

What are the two hemispheres of Cerebral Cortex

Answer 58

left: verbal and other cognitive processes right: perceiving the world around us and creating images

Question 59

_____ is recognizing various sights and sounds and with long-term memory storage (auditory)

Answer 59

Temporal

Question 60

____ recognizes various sensations of touch and monitoring body positioning (somatosensory)

Answer 60

Parietal

Question 61

frontal

Answer 61

It is responsible for higher cognitive functions. It synthesizes all information received from other parts of the brain and decides how to respond

Question 62

Serotonin

Answer 62

regulates behavior, moods, and thought processes