Baquiano, Ron Matthew I.
Chapter 2
6/24/24 Slide
Ice breaker:
In this chapter, you’ll learn about various models of psychopathology, including the integrative
model, which includes biological, behavioral, emotional, social and cultural, developmental, and
environmental influences.
Thinking about your own understanding of psychopathology, which do you think is most
important? Why?
Ans: I think the most important influence on psychopathology is the combination of
biological and psychological factors because they directly affect an individual's brain function
and behavior, forming the core of many mental disorders.
Do you think the most important influences might be different for different types of disorders?
Why?
Ans: Yes, different disorders may have varying predominant influences; for example,
genetic and neurochemical factors might be more critical in bipolar disorder, while
environmental and sociocultural factors could be more significant in disorders like PTSD.
Baquiano, Ron Matthew I. Chapter 2
6/24/24 Slide
Discussion Activity 1
The state of Ohio developed a “Beat the Stigma” campaign about substance use disorders and
one of the first public service announcements (PSA) had to do with the causes of these disorders.
Using a game show format, the PSA made the point that a lot of people wrongly consider
substance use disorders to be a result of personal choices while, in fact, genetic factors play a
substantial role.
Why do you think so many people rely on one-dimensional models in their own understanding of
mental disorders?
Ans: People often rely on one-dimensional models because they provide simple,
easy-to-understand explanations for complex issues, reducing the cognitive effort needed to
comprehend multifaceted conditions.
How is the use of one-dimensional models helpful? For example, is it helpful to think of
disorders like major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia as disorders of brain
chemistry? Why or why not?
Ans: One-dimensional models can be helpful by raising awareness about specific aspects
of disorders, such as understanding major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia as brain
chemistry disorders, which can promote the use of medical treatments and reduce blame on the
individual.
How is the use of one-dimensional models harmful?
Ans: One-dimensional models are harmful because they oversimplify the causes of
mental disorders, ignore the interplay of multiple factors, and can lead to incomplete treatments
and stigma against those who don't fit the narrow model.
Baquiano, Ron Matthew I. Chapter 2
6/24/24 Slide
Knowledge Check Activity 1
Phenotype - The outward appearance of an organism
Genotype - An Organism’s specific genes
Diathesis - A vulnerability to a disorder
Epigenetics - Focuses on changes in gene expression
Baquiano, Ron Matthew I. Chapter 2
6/24/24 Slide
Discussion Activity 2
Brain surgery has a long association with mental disorders, from the Neolithic method of
trephining (removing a disc of bone from the skull to relieve mental and other disorders) to the
crude lobotomies of the 1940s and 1950s to the more refined and highly-targeted surgeries like
bilateral cingulotomy, which is a treatment of last resort for refractory obsessive compulsive
disorder. Consider what you know about brain organization and the burden of mental disorders,
especially those that do not respond to treatments in thinking about the following issues:
Why is brain surgery such an attractive option for some yet so repugnant to others?
Ans: Brain surgery is attractive to some as a potential last-resort treatment offering relief
from debilitating symptoms, but it is repugnant to others due to its invasiveness, potential risks,
and historical misuse.
What are some of the challenges associated with developing surgical methods to treat mental
disorders?
Ans: Challenges include ensuring precise targeting to avoid damage to healthy brain
areas, understanding the complex brain-behavior relationships, and managing ethical concerns
and long-term side effects.
What do you think about the use of brain surgery to treat mental disorders? Are their
circumstances under which you would consider it for yourself or for loved ones?
Ans: Brain surgery should be a last-resort treatment after all other options have failed,
and I would consider it for myself or loved ones only if it were the only viable option to
significantly improve quality of life and was recommended by trusted medical professionals.
Baquiano, Ron Matthew I. Chapter 2
6/24/24 Slide
Knowledge Check Activity 2
Temporal Lobe - Associated with recognizing various sights and sounds and with long-term
memory storage
Occipital Lobe - Associated with integrating and making sense of various visual inputs
Serotonin System - Regulates our behavior, moods, and thought processes
Norepinephrine System - Influences the emergency reactions or alarm responses
Dopamine System - Implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and substance use
disorders
Baquiano, Ron Matthew I. Chapter 2
6/24/24 Slide
Discussion Activity 3
According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of anxiety and depression increased
by about 25% during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase thought to be due, in
part, to the extraordinary levels of stress coupled with decreased social support from lockdowns
and “safer at home” orders. Consider your own experiences and the experiences of others,
including groups defined by age (e.g., young children or older people), profession (school
teachers, health care providers, etc.) and personal circumstance (e.g., those with pre-existing
medical conditions or those who suddenly found themselves unemployed) in answering the
following:
How might learned helplessness have influenced individual responses in the first year of the
pandemic? How have those effects lingered?
Ans: Learned helplessness may have caused individuals to feel powerless and unable to
control their circumstances, leading to increased anxiety and depression, with lingering effects
manifesting as ongoing mental health struggles and decreased motivation.
What about observational learning? How might observational learning have promoted adaptive
responses to the pandemic?
Ans: Observational learning promoted adaptive responses by allowing people to emulate
positive behaviors, such as following public health guidelines, engaging in virtual socialization,
and adopting healthy coping mechanisms demonstrated by others.
How might it have promoted less-adaptive or even dangerous responses?
Ans: Observational learning also promoted less-adaptive or dangerous responses when
individuals imitated negative behaviors, such as ignoring safety measures, spreading
misinformation, or engaging in panic-buying, based on the actions of others around them or in
the media.
Baquiano, Ron Matthew I. Chapter 2
6/24/24 Slide
Breakout Group Activity 1
Consider the three components of emotions: behavioral, cognitive, and physiological.
How might culture influence each of these components?
Ans:
How might culture influence the behavioral component of emotions?
Culture influences the behavioral component by dictating acceptable emotional
expressions and responses, such as norms around displaying anger or sadness in public.
How might culture influence the cognitive component of emotions?
Culture shapes the cognitive component by influencing how emotions are interpreted and
understood, such as the importance placed on certain emotions and the meanings attached
to them.
How might culture influence the physiological component of emotions?
Culture can impact the physiological component through cultural practices and norms
that affect stress levels, relaxation techniques, and overall emotional regulation.
How might gender influence each of these components?
Ans:
How might gender influence the behavioral component of emotions?
Gender influences the behavioral component by setting societal expectations for
emotional expression, such as the stereotype that women are more openly emotional
while men should be stoic.
How might gender influence the cognitive component of emotions?
Gender shapes the cognitive component by affecting how individuals are socialized to
think about and process their emotions, with men and women potentially being taught to
prioritize different emotional experiences.
How might gender influence the physiological component of emotions?
Gender can impact the physiological component through biological differences in
hormone levels and societal influences on stress and coping mechanisms, leading to
variations in emotional responses between genders.
Baquiano, Ron Matthew I. Chapter 2
6/24/24 Slide
Breakout Group Activity 2
The table to the left summarizes the prevalence of anxiety disorders in regions across the world.
What influences might be operating to produce anxiety disorders across all regions?
Ans: Anxiety disorders are influenced globally by factors such as genetic predisposition,
neurobiological factors, and universal stressors including economic instability, climate
change, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the impact of social media and
technological advancements can exacerbate anxiety through constant connectivity and
information overload.
What influences might be unique to each region?
Ans:
Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia: Historical and ongoing political
instability, economic transitions, and the remnants of authoritarian regimes contribute to
anxiety disorders.
Latin America and the Caribbean: High levels of violence, socioeconomic inequality,
and political turmoil are significant stressors in this region.
North Africa and the Middle East: Prolonged conflicts, terrorism, political instability,
and cultural factors, including gender roles and societal expectations, influence anxiety
prevalence.
South Asia: Overpopulation, rapid urbanization, intense academic and career pressures,
and cultural stigmas surrounding mental health are major contributors.
Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania: High levels of competition in education and
employment, urban crowding, and cultural stigmas related to mental health issues are
prevalent.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Poverty, infectious diseases, political instability, and lack of
mental health resources significantly impact anxiety disorder prevalence.
How might these influences interact to produce anxiety disorders?
Ans: The interaction of genetic, biological, environmental, and cultural factors creates a complex
web that influences the development of anxiety disorders. For example, genetic predisposition
may interact with environmental stressors such as economic hardship or political instability,
amplifying the risk. Additionally, cultural factors can either mitigate or exacerbate anxiety
through societal attitudes towards mental health and available support systems.
Baquiano, Ron Matthew I. Chapter 2
6/24/24 Slide
Self-Assessment
Consider your own beliefs about the causes of mental disorders.
What have you learned about the causes of mental disorders?
Ans: Research indicates that mental disorders arise from a complex interplay of genetic
predispositions, neurochemical imbalances, brain structure anomalies, traumatic
experiences, chronic stress, and social and cultural factors.
What do psychologists mean when they assert that many of the causes of mental disorders
interact in complex and sometimes poorly understood ways?
Ans: Psychologists assert that the causes of mental disorders interact in complex and
sometimes poorly understood ways because multiple factors influence each other
dynamically. For example, genetic vulnerabilities may be triggered or exacerbated by
environmental stressors, while social support can mitigate some biological risks.
Do you think there is any one approach to understanding the causes of mental disorders that
works better than the others?
Ans: No single approach works best; a holistic, biopsychosocial model that considers
biological, psychological, and social factors together is most effective in understanding
and addressing the causes of mental disorders. This comprehensive approach allows for
more personalized and effective treatment plans.
