PSY 3604 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2-3: Short-Term Memory, Amygdala, Sensorium

• School: UMN
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 3604
• Professor: Bonnie Klimes-Dougan

Document Summary

One dimension= traces origin of behavior to single cause. Most scientist believe abnormal behavior results from multiple influences. Systemic- any particular influence contribution to psychopathology cannot be considered out of context. Context ie biology, behavior, cognitive, emotional, social, culture. Genes- long molecules of dna at various locations on chromosomes within the cell nucleus. Few rare disorders are determined by genes. Quantitative genetics- sums up effects of genes without necessarily telling which genes are responsible for which effects. Molecular genetics- focuses on examining the actual structure of genes. Genetic contribution to psychological disorders and related behavioral patterns= Enduring personality traits and cognitive abilities to genetic influence. Dramatically changed environment marks change in cognitive abilities. Environment may occasionally turn on certain inactive/dormant genes. This mechanism may lead to changes in the number of receptors at the end of the neuron, leading to effects to the biochemical functioning of brain.