PSYCH 405 CH 3 Flashcards
(83 cards)
What is the biological model?
thoughts and feelings are the result of biochemical and bioelectrical processes throughout brain and body
How do biological theorists explain abnormal behavior?
as an illness brought by malfunctioning part of the organism
What are neurons and glia?
neurons: a nerve cell
glia: support cells
How do neurons communicate?
- through electrical impulses that travel from one neuron to one or more others
What is a dendrite? axon? nerve ending?
dendrite: antenna-like extensions located at the end of the neuron
axon: a long fiber extending from the neuron’s body
nerve ending: the end of the axon
What is a synapse, neurotransmitter, and receptor?
synapse: separates one neuron form the next (a little space)
neurotransmitter: a chemical released by one neuron that is received by the receptors of another
receptors: a site on a neuron that receives the neurotransmitter
How do messages get from the nerve ending of one neuron to another?
neurotransmitters are released from one neuron and they bind to the receptors of another after crossing a synapse. The neurotransmitter tells the neuron to fire and so forth the message is passed along, until they receive a neurotransmitter that tells them to stop
low levels of what neurotransmitter(s) has depression been linked with?
serotonin, norepinephrine, glutamate
How are disorders linked to the endocrine system?
endocrine glands are located all around the body and work with neurons to control growth, reproduction, sex, etc….
What are hormones?
chemicals released by endocrine glands into the bloodstream that propel organs into action
What are brain structure?
large groups of neurons that form distinct regions
what is Huntington’s Disease? What is it linked to?
a disorder marked by involuntary body movements, violent emotional outbursts, memory loss, suicidal thinking, and absurd beliefs
it is linked to loss of neurons in the basal ganglia and cerebral cortex
what is a brain circuit? what is interconnectivity and how is it lined to healthy psychological connection?
A network of particular brain structure that work together, triggering each other into action to produce a distinct behavior/cognitive, emotional reaction
- interconnectivity is communication inside the circuit structure. More interconnectivity is linked to healthy brain function where flaws interconnectivity leads to abnormal functioning
What disorders are associated with flawed interconnectivity?
anxiety disorders
What are genes?
chromosomal segments that control the characteristics and traits a person inherits
- genes can possible make people more prone to certain diseases
what is a mutation?
an abnormal form of a gene that emerges by accident
Why do evolutionary theorists say fear is adaptive?
people with more fear in the ancient times were more alert of their surroundings and thus more likely to survive catastrophes. In return, they passed their genes on to their offspring
what are the three leading kinds of biological treatment?
drug therapy, brain stimulation, psychosurgery. Drug therapy is the most common
what are psychotropic medications?
drugs that mainly affect emotions and the thought process
What are the 3 major psychotropic drug groups and what do they help with?
- Anti-anxiety drugs (aka minor tranquilizers/anxiolytics): help reduce tension and anxiety
- Anti-bipolar drugs (mood stabilizers): steady the mood of those with a bipolar disorder
- Antipsychotic drugs: reduce confusion, hallucinations, and delusion of psychosis (found in schizophrenia)
What is brain stimulation? ECT?
brain stimulation: interventions that directly stimulate certain areas of the brain
ECT (electroconvulsive therapy): two electrodes are attached to a patient’ forehead and a current of 65-140 V is passed through the brain. It causes a brief seizure and patients are supposed to feel less depressed
What is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)?
electromagnetic coil is placed on/ above a person’s head, sending a current into certain areas of the brain.
what is vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)?
a pules generator is implanted into someone’s neck and helped stimulate their vagus nerve
what is psychosurgery?
brain surgery for mental disorders