Chapter 2 Theories and Causes

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Chapter 2Theories and Causes
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Theoretical Foundations

• Abnormal development is multiply determined
• The child and the environment are interdependent
  and interact dynamically (called the
  transactional or relational view)
• Abnormal development involves continuities and
  discontinuities, with both quantitative and
  qualitative changes in patterns of behavior over
  time

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Developmental Considerations

• Development is organized hierarchical
• Active dynamic process of continual change and
  transformation
• Sensitive or critical periods
• Adaptational Failure

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Developmental Psychopathology Perspective (cont.)

Figure 2.2 A developmental overview
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Developmental Psychopathology

• A macroparadigm
• Stresses developmental processes and tasks
• Views maladaptive behavior in relation to what is
  considered normative

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Developmental Psychopathology Perspective (cont.)

• Figure 2.3  Developmental psychopathology as a
  macroparadigm. Based on Achenbach, 1990).

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Biological Perspectives

• A neurobiological perspective considers brain and
  nervous system functions as underlying causes of
  psychological disorders
• Neural Plasticity (malleability) and the Role of
  Experience
• maturation of the brain is an organized,
  hierarchical process
• the brain is shaped by early experiences

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Genetic Contributions

• Interaction of environmental and genetic factors
• Very few specific genetic causes have been
  identified as cause of psychopathology
• Polygenic explanations of disorders are the most
  robust
• Genes do not determine behavior

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Neurobiological Contributions

• Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
• Anxiety and Mood Disorders
• Neurotransmitters (seratonin, benzodiazepine-GABA,
  norepinephrine, and dopamine)
• Anxiety and Mood Disorders
• Psychotic Disorders

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Biological Perspectives (cont.)

• Figure 2.4 Structures of the brain. Source
  Adapted from Brain and Behavior, by Bob Garrett.

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Biological Perspectives (cont.)

• Figure 2.5 Structures of the limbic system.
  Source Adapted from Brain and Behavior, by Bob
  Garrett.

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Psychological Perspectives

• Emotional Influences
• emotions tell us what to pay attention to and
  provide motivation for action
• children may have difficulties in emotion
  reactivity or emotion regulation
• temperament shapes the childs approach to the
  environment and vice versa
• Easy
• Slow to warm
• Difficult

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Psychological Perspectives (cont.)

• Behavioral and Cognitive Influences
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• antecedents and consequences
• Classical Conditioning
• paired associations between stimuli
• Social Learning
• observational learning
• Social Cognition
• perception of self and others

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Family, Social, and Cultural Influences
Figure 2.8 An ecological model of environmental
influences.
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Family and Social Influences

• Attachment Theory
• Emphasizes the evolving child-caregiver
  relationship
• Helps regulate behavior and emotions
• Patterns of attachment
• Secure
• Anxious-avoidant
• Anxious-resistant
• Disorganized

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Seattle Social Development Model