Title 02 AbPsy - An Integrative Approach to Psychopathology.pdf ✅

● Diathesis: a condition that makes someone susceptible to developing a disorder ○ Also called vulnerability ○ Ex. tendency to faint at the sight of blood ● ↑ vulnerability = ↓ stress needed Gene-Environment Correlation Model – genetic endowment may increase the probability that an individual will experience stressful life events ● The inherent vulnerability is accompanied by an increased probability that the individual will create the necessary environmental influences needed to trigger their genetic vulnerability ● Also called reciprocal gene–environment model ● ↑ vulnerability = ↑ chance to encounter triggers EPIGENETICS AND THE NON-GENOMIC “INHERITANCE” OF BEHAVIOR ● Genetic influences are less powerful than what is commonly believed ● Environment cannot change the DNA, it can only change the gene expression ● Genes are turned on or off by an epigenome ● Epigenome: a material that is located outside the genome ● External factors affect the epigenome and can be passed down to generations ● The genome itself is not changed; the epigenome will fade away if the external influences disappear ● The complex interaction of both nature and nurture influences the development of behavior and personality NEUROSCIENCE AND ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO PSYCHOPATHOLOGY Neuroscience Paradigm – examines the contribution of brain structure and function to psychopathology THE NERVOUS SYSTEM Central Nervous System - consist of the brain and the spinal cord; processes all the information received from our sense and organs ● Spinal Cord: facilitates the sending of messages to and from the brain ● Neurons: specialized cells that transmit electrical and chemical signals throughout the body ○ Nucleus: found in the cell body and responsible for neural processes ○ Dendrite: has receptors that receive chemical impulses which is then converted to electrical signals (action potential) ○ Axons: sends out received signal to other neurons ■ Carrier of action potential ■ Terminal Buttons: end of an axon ○ Synapses: connection between nerve cells ○ Synaptic Cleft: small space between the end of each neuron through which impulse must pass ● Neurotransmitters: chemicals that allow neurons to send a signal to another neuron ○ Chemicals that are stored in the terminal buttons Peripheral Nervous System: coordinates with the brain stem to make sure the body is working properly ● Somatic Nervous System: controls the muscle ● Autonomic Nervous System: regulates the cardiovascular system and the endocrine system 2 | @studywithky