09/30/2014

Notion of a Paradigm
Paradigm
Perspective or conceptual framework from within which a scientist
operates
We can never be totally objective; subjective factors interfere
No one paradigm sufficient to completely explain psychopathology
Genetics of Paradigm
Heredity plays a role in most behavior
Genes
Carriers of genetic information (DNA)
Impacted by environmental influences
e.g., stress, relationships, culture
Relationship between genes and environment is bidirectional
Nature via nurture
Important Genetic Terms
Gene expression
Proteins influence whether the action of a specific gene will occur
Polygenic transmission
Multiple gene pairs vs. single gene
Heritability
Extent to which variability in behavior is due to genetic factors

Heritability estimate ranges from 0.00 to 1.00

Group, rather than individual indicator
Environmental Effects
Shared environment
Events and experiences that family members have in common
Nonshared environment
Events and experiences that are unique to each family member
Behavior Genetics
Study of the degree to which genes and environmental factors influence
behavior
Genotype
Genetic material inherited by an individual
Unobservable
Phenotype
Expressed genetic material
Observable behavior and characteristics
Depends on interaction of genotype and environment
Molecular Genetics
Identifies particular genes and their functions
Alleles
Different forms of the same gene

Polymorphism
Difference in DNA sequence on a gene occurring in a population
SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms)
Identify differences in sequence of genes
CNVs (Copy Number Variations)
Identify differences in structure of genes; can be additions or deletions in
DNA within genes
Knockout studies
Removing specific genes in animals to observe effect on behavior

Chemical Bases of DNA

Adenine
Guanine
Thymine
Cytosine
Gene-environment interaction
Ones response to a specific environmental event is influenced by genes
Epigenetics
Study of how the environment can alter gene expression or function
Cross-fostering adoptee method
Rats born to mothers with low parenting skills who were raised by mothers
with high parenting skills showed lower levels of stress reactivity (Francis et al.,
1999)
Environment (mothering) was responsible for turning on (or turning up) the
expression of a particular genes
Reciprocal Gene-Environment Interaction

Genes predispose individuals to seek out situations that increase the

likelihood of developing a disorder.
Adolescent girls with genetic vulnerability for depression more likely to
experience events that can trigger depression
Dependent life events influenced by genes
Epigenetics
Study of how the environment can alter gene expression or
function
Cross-fostering adoptee method
Rats born to mothers with low parenting skills who were
raised by mothers with high parenting skills showed lower
levels of stress reactivity
Environment (mothering) was responsible for turning on
(or turning up) the expression of a particular gene
Genes predispose individuals to seek out situations that
increase the likelihood of developing a disorder.
Adolescent girls with genetic vulnerability for depression more likely to
experience events that can trigger depression
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.
Three major components:
o Neurons and neurotransmitters
Brain structure and function
Neuroendocrine system