is What a Paradigm? (Examples) Global Warming is caused by man-made environmental changes Psychopathology is caused by imbalances in body humors The earth is the center of the universe (Geocentric Model) Current Paradigms: Genetic Heredity plays a roll in most behavior Genes o Carriers of genetic info (DNA) o Impacted by environmental influences E.g. stress, relationships, culture o Relationships b/w genes and environment is bidirectional Nature via Nurture Important Genetic Terms Gene Expression o Proteins influence whether the action of a specific gene will occur Polygenic transmission o Multiple gene pairs vs. single genes Heritability o Extent to which variability in behavior is due to genetic factors o Heritability estimate is from 0 1 Environmental Effects Shared environment o Events and experiences that family members have in common Non-shared environment
o Events and experiences that are unique to each family member Behavior Genetics Study of the degree to which genes and environmental factors influencing behavior Genotype o Genetic material inherited by the individual o Unobservable Phenotype o Expressed genetic material o Observable behavior and characteristics o Depends on interaction of genotype and environment Gene-Environment Interaction response Ones to a specific environmental event that is influenced by genes Epigentics o A factor changes the phenotype without changes the genotype Reciprocal Gene-Environment Interaction Genes predispose individuals to seek out situations that increase the likelihood of developing a disorder o Adolescent girls with a genetic vulnerability for depression more likely to experience events that can trigger depression o Dependent life events influenced by genes Current Paradigms: Neuroscience Examines the contribution of brain structure and function to psychopathology o Mental disorders are linked to aberrant processes in the brain Neurons & Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitter o Chemicals that allow neurons to send a signal across the synapse to another neuron Receptor sites on post synaptic neuron absorb neurotransmitter o Excitatory o Inhibitory Reuptake o Reabsorbtion of leftover neurotransmitter by pre-synaptic neuron Neurotransmitters and Psychopathology Serotonin and Dopamine o Depression, Mania, and Schizophrenia Norepinephrine Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Evaluating the Neuroscience Paradigm Reductionism o View that behavior can be best understood by reducing it to its basic biological components Ignores more complex views of behavior