**"Understanding Abnormal Behavior: Nature vs. Nurture"**

2. Integrative Approach to Abnormal Behavior Chapter 2

3. Nature v. Nurture? • Nature (biological influences) and nurture (psychosocial influences) are one-dimensional models. Issue is one of Causality? What leads to abnormal behavior???? Our tendency is to simplify. • Result in incomplete understandings of psychological disorders • Multidimensional models allow for a more complete understanding of psychopathology. They are systemic! • Integrated model attempts to understand of the complex interaction of multiple influences • Abnormal behavior is multiply determined by multiple pathways

4. behavioral genetic brain emotional cognitive developmental social psychological disorder

5. The Interaction of Genetic and Environmental Effects • Models of Interaction • The Diathesis-Stress Model • Genetic vulnerabilities that are only expressed in the presence of certain environmental stressors • The smaller the vulnerability, the greater the life stress needed to result in the disorder, and conversely. • Reciprocal Gene-Environment Model • Newer model, proposes that genetic influences behavior to increase likelihood of encountering activating stimuli. Genetic endowment increases the likelihood of encountering stressful life events. • Non-Genomic Inheritance of Behavior • Genes are not the whole story. Early learning (parenting styles and nurturance) may over-ride genetic predisposition.

6. Neuroscience Contributions to Psychopathology • The Field of Neuroscience • The role of the nervous system in disease and behavior • The Central Nervous System (CNS) • Brain and spinal cord • They process all information received from sense organs • The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) • Somatic and autonomic branches

7. Neuroscience and the Central Nervous System • The Neuron • Soma – Cell body • Dendrites – Branches that receive messages from other neurons • Axon – Trunk of neuron that sends messages to other neurons • Axon terminals – Buds at end of axon from which chemical messages are sent • Synapses – Small gaps that separate neurons • Neurons Function Electrically, but Communicate Chemically • Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers, and have been critically involved in psychological disorders.

9. Neuroscience: Functions of MainTypes of Neurotransmitters • Functions of Neurotransmitters • To understand functions, we have studied effects of agonists, antagonists, and inverse agonists • Most drugs are either agonistic or antagonistic • Agonists increase the activity of a neurotransmitter by mimicking its’ effects; antagonists decrease or block a neurotransmitter; inverse agonists produce effects oposite to those produced by the neurotransmitter. • Main Types and Functions of Neurotransmitters • Serotonin (5HT)- 5 hyroxytryptomine. Regulates behavior, mood and thought processes. Associated with depression, impulsivity, and over-reactivity. • Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and benzodiazepines. Best known for their effects on anxiety reduction. • Norepinephrine and beta blockers. Regulation of physiological responses, such as heart rate and respiration. • Dopamine and L-Dopa-activate other neurotransmitters, and an excess have been implicated in schizophrenia.

10. Implications of Neuroscience for Psychopathology • Relations Between Brain and Abnormal Behavior • Examples include obsessive compulsive disorder and schizophrenia • Experience Can Change Brain Structure and Function • Therapy Can Change Brain Structure and Function • Medications and psychotherapy