PSYC 318 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Reticular Formation, Peripheral Nervous System
Document Summary
The causes of abnormal behavior are complex and fascinating. You can say that psychological disorders are caused by nature (biology) and by nurture (psychosocial factors), and you would be right on both counts - but also wrong on both counts. To identify the causes of various psychological disorders, we must consider the interaction of all relevant dimensions. Genetic contributions, the role of the nervous system, behavioral and cognitive processes, emotional influences, social and interpersonal influences, and developmental factors. Thus, we have arrived at a multidimensional integrative approach to the causes of psychological disorders. Systemic (influences cannot be considered out of context) The genetic influence on much of our development and most of our behavior, personality, and even iq score is polygenic - that is, influenced by many genes. This is assumed to be the case in abnormal behavior as well, although research is beginning to identify specific small groups of genes that relate to some major psychological disorders.
