Causal Factors and Viewpointsin Abnormal Psychology

This Chapter Will Explore the Causal Factors and Viewpoints of the Development and Maintenance of Abnormal Behavior. It Is Important to Have an Understanding of These for Prevention and Treatment of Abnormal and Maladaptive Behavior

Causes and Risk Factors

The Causes and Risk Factors are Multiple Etiology (causal pattern underlying behavior)

Linear (A causes B causes C etc.) Circular (Both A and B are reciprocal in their

cause. )

A B

Diathesis Stress Models

According to Diathesis-Stress Models, the cause of abnormal behavior can be view viewed as combination of two types of factors: Diathesis- previous biological and environmental factors that

predispose an individual towards developing a disorder. Stress-trigger that taxes or exceeds the individuals personal

resource and results in abnormal behavior.

Protective Factors- influences that modify a person’s response to an environmental stressor, making it less likely less likely that the person will experience the adverse effects of the stressor

Resilience- ability to adapt successfully to very difficult circumstances

Developmental Psychopathology

Models or Viewpoints for Understanding Abnormal Behavior

The value of viewpoints Organize observations, provide a system of

thought, and suggest areas of research, focus, and treatment.

Blind us until paradigm shifts (Freud) Current Viewpoint in Psychology Is

Multidimensional, Eclectic, and Integrative Biopsychosocial viewpoint- an integrative

approach that acknowledges that biological, psychosocial, and sociocultural factors all interact and play a role in psychopathology and treatment.

The Biological Viewpoint & Causal Factors

Biological Viewpoints and Causal Factors Include the Following General Areas:

Neurotransmitter and Hormonal Imbalances Genetic Vulnerabilities Constitutional Liabilities Brain Dysfunction and Neural Plasticity Physical Deprivation or Disruption

Neurotransmitter Imbalances

Neurotransmitter

imbalances Synapse

Neurotransmitter

Hormonal Imbalances

Hypothalamus

Pituitary gland

Genetic Vulnerabilities

Cell-Nucleus-Chromosomes-DNA Meiosis (germ cells and crossover)

Germ cell can result in 8 million combinations Therefore over 64 trillion combinations are

possibleMitosis (cell division)

Chromosomal

AbnormalitiesDowns Syndrome

Trisomy-21

Genetic Vulnerabilities

Genotype- a person’s total genetic endowment Phenotype- the observed structural and functional

characteristics that result from the interaction of a person’s genotype and the environment The genotypic vulnerability may not be expressed

in the phenotype until later in life (schizophrenia) Genotype-Environment Correlation- phenomenon

whereby a person’s genotype can shape her environmental experiences

Genotype-Environment Interaction- differential sensitivity or susceptibility to their environments among people having different genotypes

Methods for Studying Genetic Influences

The pedigree (family history) method Greater incidence in a family would indicate

genetics The twin method (monozygotic)

Same genes should result in both having same disorder if it is genetic

The adoption method Biological parents of individuals who have

given disorder are traced and compared with biological parents of individuals without the disorder.

Constitutional Liabilities

Constitutional Liability- any detrimental characteristic that is either innate or acquired so early and in such strength that it is functionally similar to a genetic characteristic

Physical handicaps Temperament

Involves not only reactivity but also characteristic ways of self-regulation

Biological basis of personality Results from both genetic and prenatal/

postnatal environments

Brain Dysfunction and Neural Plasticity: Developmental Systems Approach

Brain development is based on genetic programming and the environment.

(eg) Rats raised in enriched environment

Developmental Systems Approach

Physical Deprivation or Disruption

Deprivation of the basic physiological needs Sleep Diet Over Working Oneself

Stimulation and Activity Enriched Environments

Promote Neural

Development

The Psychosocial Viewpoints

Psychodynamic Perspectives Freud Object Relations Theory

Behavioral Perspectives Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning

Cognitive-Behavioral Perspectives

The Psychodynamic Perspectives

Id Libido Pleasure principle Primary Process thinking

Ego Secondary process thinking Reality principle

Superego The conscience Executive branch of the personality

Psychodynamic: Ego-Defense Mechanisms

Acting out Denial of reality Displacement Fixation Projection Rationalization Reaction formation Regression Repression Sublimation Undoing

The Psychodynamic Perspectives:Psychosexual Stages of Development

Oral stage (0-2 yrs old) Anal stage (2-3 yrs old) Phallic stage (3-5/6 yrs old) Latency stage (6-12 yrs old) Genital stage (After puberty)

Fixation Oedipus complex

Castration anxiety Electra complex

Newer Psychodynamic Perspectives

Object-relations theory The interpersonal perspective Sullivan’s interpersonal theory Interpersonal accommodation and

attachment

The Behavioral Perspective:Classical Conditioning

The Behavioral Perspective:Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning Extinction Spontaneous recovery Generalization Discrimination

The Behavioral Perspective:Operant Conditioning

The likelihood of a behavior is either increased or decreased by the consequence which follows the behavior.

Reinforcement- the process by which a stimulus or event strengthens or increases the probability of the response that follows

Punishment- the process by which a stimulus or event weakens or reduces the probability of the response that it follows

The Behavioral Perspective:Operant Conditioning

Reinforcer (increase) Punisher (decrease)

Positive (+) Pleasant Unpleasant

Negative (-) Unpleasant Pleasant

The likelihood of a behavior is either increased or decreased by the consequence which follows the behavior.

Reinforcement- the process by which a stimulus or event strengthens or increases the probability of the response that follows

Punishment- the process by which a stimulus or event weakens or reduces the probability of the response that it follows

The Behavioral Perspective:Operant Conditioning

Extinction Spontaneous recovery Generalization Discrimination

Observational learning

The Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective

Attributions Attributional style Cognitive therapy Schema

Psychosocial Causal Factors

Our Views of the World and of Ourselves Schema- an organized representation of prior knowledge

about a concept or about some stimulus that helps guide the processing of current information

Schemas about people, social roles, etc. Self-schema- our views of what we are, what we might

become, and what is important to us. Not completely based in “reality”

Assimilation- process of working new experiences into existing cognitive frameworks (schemas) even if the new information has to be reinterpreted or distorted to make it fit

Accommodation- process of changing existing cognitive frameworks to make possible the incorporation of discrepant information.

We Prefer Predictability and Controllability

Psychosocial Causal Factors

Early Deprivation or Trauma How would each viewpoint discussed earlier

describe possible effects of deprivation and trama?

Institutionalization More positive outcomes when moved to a

harmonious home Less enriched environment and lack of

emotional/physical contact are harmful to biological, personality, social development

Negative correlation between time spent in an institution and healthy development

Psychosocial Causal Factors

Deprivation and Abuse in the Home Failure to Thrive Syndrome Increased Aggression Emotional and Social Problems Anxiety and Depression Disorganized or Disoriented Attachment Style Decreases in IQ Self-Injurious Behavior

Negative effects can decrease when environment improves

Other Childhood Traumas Psychic Traumas

Psychosocial Causal Factors

Inadequate parenting styles Parental psychopathology

Psychosocial Causal Factors

Parenting styles Authoritative parenting Authoritarian parenting Permissive-Indulgent parenting Neglectful-uninvolved parenting

Parenting Behavior’s (Style) update Connection-Regulation-Autonomy

Psychosocial Causal Factors

Marital discord Divorced families

Effects of divorce on parents Effects of divorce on children

Psychosocial Causal Factors

Maladaptive peer relationships Popularity versus rejection

The Sociocultural Viewpoint

Cross-cultural studies Cultural differences in which disorders

develop and how they are experienced Culture and undercontrolled behavior Culture and overcontrolled behavior

Sociocultural Causal Factors

The sociocultural environment

Sociocultural Causal Factors

Pathogenic societal influences Socioeconomic status Unemployment Disorder-engendering social roles Prejudice and discrimination Social change and uncertainty

UNRESOLVED ISSUES

Advantages of having a theoretical viewpoint

The eclectic approach The biopsychosocial, unified approach