Understanding the Causes and

Maintenance of Psychopathology
Biopsychosocial theory of psychopathology

Biological Psychological
Feedback Loops
Emphasis on Emphasis on
biological psychological
processes (e.g., factors, such as early
genetics) childhood
experience and self-
concept
Feedback Loops Social
Emphasis on Feedback Loops
interpersonal
relationships and
social environment
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 Vulnerability Stress

Vulnerability-Stress Models (aka Diathesis-Stress Models)

Vulnerability Factors may be biological, psychological, or

socially-oriented.
Disorder
Biological: genes, brain anomalies, disordered biochemistry

Psychological: anxiety sensitivity, affect intensity,

neuroticism/negative affect

Social: poor attachment, neglect

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 Biological Theories of Abnormality

Structural Theories Abnormalities in the structure

of the brain cause mental
disorders

Imbalances in the levels of

Biochemical neurotransmitters or
Theories hormones, or poor
functioning of receptors
cause mental disorders

Disordered genes lead to

Genetic Theories mental disorders
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 Structural Causes of Abnormality

 Can occur in three areas of the brain:

– Cerebral Cortex

– Hypothalamus (involved in stress response = HPA

[hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal] Axis).

– Limbic system (includes the amygdala &

hippocampus)

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 Biochemical Causes of
Abnormality

 The brain needs a number of chemicals to operate

properly.
 Neurotransmitters are biochemical “messengers.”
 Reuptake occurs when the neurons that initially
released the neurotransmitter into the synapse
reabsorb the neurotransmitter.
 Degradation occurs when the receiving neuron
releases an enzyme into the synapse that breaks
down the neurotransmitter into other biochemicals.

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Chapter 2 Copyright © 2007 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Genetic Factors in Abnormality


Polygenic
process: it takes
Alterations in the
Chromosomes multiple genetic
structure or number of
are made up of abnormalities to
chromosomes can
individual genes. create one
cause major defects.
disorder.

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 Psychological Theories of
Abnormality

Psychodynamic Theories Unconscious conflicts between primitive

desires and constraints give rise to mental
illness
Behavioral Theories Symptoms of mental disorders due to
reinforcements and punishments for
specific behaviors and feelings

Cognitive Theories People’s ways of interpreting situations,

their assumptions about the world and
self-concepts can cause negative
feelings / behaviors
Humanist and Conform to demands of others instead
Existential Theories of pursuing own values and potentials
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 Psychodynamic Theories

 Developed by Freud
Id Pleasure principle, primary
process (wish fulfillment)

Ego Reality principle, secondary

process thinking (rational
deliberation)
Superego Introject (internalize) social
standards. Conscience and ego ideal
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Chapter 2 Copyright © 2007 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Psychosexual Stages

Stages Age

Oral 0-18 months

Anal 18 months to three years

Phallic Three to six years

Latent Six years to puberty

Genital Puberty to adulthood

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 Classical Conditioning

Unconditioned Stimulus (stimulus that naturally

produces a desired response; food)
Unconditioned Response (response naturally
occurring in the presence of the US; salivating)
Conditioned Stimulus (neutral stimulus paired with
the US; bell)
Conditioned Response (response occurring in the
presence of the CS)

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 Classical Conditioning

US UR
US + CS UR
CS CR

- Response may generalize to other stimuli

similar to the CS.

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 Operant Conditioning

 Positive and Negative Reinforcement

 Positive and Negative Punishment

 In general, reinforcement may be continuous

(or fixed) or partial (or intermittent)

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 Mowrer’s two factor theory

 Mowrer (1960) described a model where both

classical and operant conditioning work to
influence the maintenance of psychopathology.

 Initial fear acquisition through classical

conditioning  naturally leads to avoidance of
feared stimuli (negative reinforcement) 
avoidance prevents contact with feared stimulus
so extinction can’t take place.

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 Observational Learning

 Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment.

 Evolution may also play a role in

observational learning.

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 Cognitive Theories of Abnormality

 Types of cognition
– Causal attributions
– Control beliefs
– Dysfunctional Thoughts Feelings
assumptions

Behaviors
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 Some Common Global
Dysfunctional Assumptions

Once
something
I should be affects my life,
I am worthless
loved by it will affect it
and unlovable
everyone for forever.
everything I
do.

I should be
I must have terribly upset
perfect self by certain
control. situations.

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 Humanistic and Existential
Theories of Abnormality

 Suggest that all humans strive to fulfill their potential

for good and to self-actualize.
 The inability to fulfill one’s potential arises from the
pressures of society to conform to others’
expectations and values, and from existential
anxiety.
 Carl Rogers: Unconditional/Conditional Positive
Regard

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Chapter 2 Copyright © 2007 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Social and Interpersonal
Approaches

Focus more on the larger social

structures within which an individual
lives.

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 Social and Interpersonal
Approaches, continued

Interpersonal Mental disorders are a result of

Theories long-standing patterns of negative
relationships that have roots in
early caregivers
Family Systems Families create and maintain
mental disorders in individual
Theories family members to maintain
homeostasis.

Social Societies create mental disorders

Structural in individuals by putting them
under unbearable stress and by
Theories sanctioning abnormal behavior

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 Interpersonal Theory

 Alfred Adler split with Freud’s teachings and helped developed

contemporary interpersonal theories.
 Erik Erikson proposed a series of stages of psychosocial
development that are not concerned with the gratification of
sexual needs.
 John Bowlby argued that the quality of the attachment to our
caregivers determines our expectations for ourselves and our
relationships.
- Secure & Insecure (Avoidant or Ambivalent) Attachment
- Development of working models

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 Family Systems Theory

 The family is a complex system that works to

maintain the status quo, or homeostasis.
 Roots of disorder are within the family, not the
individual.
 Family systems theories may be more applicable to
treatment of children since they are more enmeshed
in the family than other members of the family.

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