PSYB32H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Behaviorism, Phenotype, Reaction Formation
Document Summary
Current paradigms and the role of cultural factors. Biological paradigm of abnormal behaviour is a continuation of the somatogenic hypothesis: holds that mental disorders are cause by aberrant biological processes. Also known as the medical model or disease model. Was the dominant paradigm in canada and elsewhere from the 1800s -> mid-20th century. The study of individual differences in behaviour that are attributable in part to differences in genetic makeup. Genotype: unobservable genetic constitution: not static. Phenotype: totality of his/her observable, behavioural characteristics: changes over time, product of interaction between genotype and environment. Only the genotypes for disorders can be inherited, a predisposition; not the disorder itself. Family method: used to study a genetic predisposition among members of a family because the avg number of genes shared by 2 blood relatives is known. Starting point in these investigations is the collection of a sample of individuals who bear the diagnosis in question index cases or probands.
