1. Causal Factors and Viewpoints in 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

2. 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. ) B A

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. Neurotransmitter Imbalances
Synapse

7. Hormonal Imbalances
Hypothalamus
Pituitary gland

8. 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 possible
Mitosis (cell division)
Chromosomal
Abnormalities
Downs Syndrome
Trisomy-21

9. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. Physical Deprivation or Disruption
Deprivation of the basic physiological needs
Sleep
Diet
Over Working Oneself
Stimulation and Activity
Enriched Environments
Promote Neural
Development

15. The Psychosocial Viewpoints
Psychodynamic Perspectives
Freud
Object Relations Theory
Behavioral Perspectives
Classical Conditioning
Operant Conditioning
Cognitive-Behavioral Perspectives

16. The Psychodynamic PerspectivesId
Libido
Pleasure principle
Primary Process thinking
Ego
Secondary process thinking
Reality principle
Superego
The conscience
Executive branch of the personality

17. Psychodynamic: Ego-Defense Mechanisms
Acting out
Denial of reality
Displacement
Fixation
Projection
Rationalization
Reaction formation
Regression
Repression
Sublimation
Undoing

18. 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

19. Newer Psychodynamic Perspectives
Object-relations theory
The interpersonal perspective
Sullivan’s interpersonal theory
Interpersonal accommodation and attachment

20. The Behavioral Perspective: Classical Conditioning

21. The Behavioral Perspective: Classical Conditioning
Extinction
Spontaneous recovery
Generalization
Discrimination

22. 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

23. 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
Reinforcer (increase)
Punisher (decrease)
Positive (+)
Pleasant
Unpleasant
Negative (-)

24. The Behavioral Perspective: Operant Conditioning
Extinction
Spontaneous recovery
Generalization
Discrimination
Observational learning

25. The Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective
Attributions
Attributional style
Cognitive therapy
Schema

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. Psychosocial Causal Factors
Inadequate parenting styles
Parental psychopathology

30. Psychosocial Causal Factors
Parenting styles
Authoritative parenting
Authoritarian parenting
Permissive-Indulgent parenting
Neglectful-uninvolved parenting
Parenting Behavior’s (Style) update
Connection-Regulation-Autonomy

31. Psychosocial Causal Factors
Marital discord
Divorced families
Effects of divorce on parents
Effects of divorce on children

32. Psychosocial Causal Factors
Maladaptive peer relationships
Popularity versus rejection

33. 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

34. Sociocultural Causal Factors
The sociocultural environment

35. Sociocultural Causal Factors
Pathogenic societal influences
Socioeconomic status
Unemployment
Disorder-engendering social roles
Prejudice and discrimination
Social change and uncertainty

36. UNRESOLVED ISSUES Advantages of having a theoretical viewpoint
The eclectic approach
The biopsychosocial, unified approach