Models
Model that suggests that the etiology of psychological conditions is a chemical imbalance in the brain.
What is the Biological Model?
Neurotransmitters created in the soma are packaged into vesicles (sacs), transported down the axon to the terminal buttons, and merge with the presynaptic membrane.The next step is...
What is release into the synapse (synaptic cleft) and binding with receptors on the receiving cell?
Controversial treatment involving the creation of a brief, controlled seizure, which may be used when the patient is not responding to other treatment modalities (medication and/or therapy).
What is Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)? (Also known as Shock Treatment.)
A method to help patients with phobias to gradually (in a step-wise process) increase their exposure to phobia-provoking events, while learning to return to and maintain a sense of calm and relaxation.
What is systematic desensitization?
"A group of interdependent parts that, together, contribute to a unified whole or purpose". (Lumen)
What is "Systems Theory"? NOTE: In Systems Theory, whatever affects one member of the system affects the whole system.
Neurotransmitter that is involved with relaxing feelings (reduction of anxiety and stress) in the nervous system.
What is GABA (gamma amino butyric acid), the most inhibitory neurotransmitter?
Freud's personality theory in which this part of the personality is attempting to satisfy the needs of the "id" and the "superego".
What is the "ego"?
The idea that actions do not cause depression, but it is our belief system about ourselves and our reactions to circumstances that do. Changing our beliefs about ourselves can decrease a depressive reaction.
What is the "A-B-C" model of treatment, by Albert Ellis, which focuses on changing our Belief patterns (B), in order to respond more positively to Actions (A), thus bringing about more effective interpretations of the initial Consequences(C).
Nature vs. Nurture
Question of etiology of the "biopsychosocial" model.
When faced with a highly threatening situation, this part of the nervous system reacts by producing a "fight or flight" response.
What is the Sympathetic Nervous System? (Note: May also create a "freeze" or "fawn" response. The Parasympathetic Nervous System is what relaxes the nervous system after the threat is reduced.)
A Freudian method designed to prevent threatening (anxiety-provoking) impulses from being consciously recognized.
What are Defense Mechanisms?
When therapists "pick and chose" the methods they believe will fit best with the patients' needs, try them out, and adopt them if they are helpful and work well.
What is eclecticism ("technical eclecticism")?
A model that acknowledges how genetic and biological elements may either create or drive a person towards a stressful environment that triggers diathesis. (Lumen)
What is rGE? (Gene-environment correlation)
The part of the nervous system that processes the pain response.
What is the somatosensory cortex (also processed by the periaqueductal gray matter in the midbrain).
A psychoanalytical treatment in which the patient is asked to lie on a couch, relax, close their eyes, and spontaneously say whatever thoughts come to mind.
What is "Free Association"?
"Understanding a client’s culture and background and your own cultural identity helps you to be more competent in your approach and when making treatment decisions". (Lumen)
What is "cultural competency"?
Term describing that inheritance for mental disorders is the result of multiple interacting genes. (Lumen)
What is polygenic transmission?
Past "treatment" in which the connections between the prefrontal cortex and the thalamus (also often damaging other parts of the frontal lobe) in order to calm patients in asylums.
What is a "frontal lobotomy"?
Model that suggests that people are inherently good and self-motivated, and are trying to become "healthy, effectively functioning persons".
What is the Humanistic Model?
As discussed in class: The most curative aspect of psychotherapy.
What are the relationship with and the feelings of caring, concern, and acceptance by the therapist?