Chapter 3

ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
SIXTEENTH EDITION
James N. Butcher/ Jill M. Hooley/ Susan Mineka
Chapter 3
Causal Factors and Viewpoints

Prepared by:
Shiela S. Bdiang, RPm, RGC
Assistant Professor II
Dept. of Social Sciences & Humanities
Caraga State University
• One primary goal of clinical psychology is to
understand the nature of relationships among
variables of interest.
• Relationships among variables by observing

them and measuring the extent to which two
variables or events co-occur (i.e. co-vary or
correlate).
© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights

reserved.
• VARIABLE X If X precedes Y in time, we can now
- is a variable associated infer that X is a RISK FACTOR
with an outcome
interest of Y which
means that these two If X can be changed, then it is
variable are correlated. considered a VARIABLE RISK
FACTOR for outcome Y
• VARIABLE Y
- Is a condition developed
If X cannot be changed, then it is
due to some risk actors considered a FIXED MARKER of
outcome Y.
• The causality of the two variables will depend on

whether changing X leads to a change in Y.
• If then, X would be considered a CAUSAL RISK
FACTOR. If not, then Y is just a VARIABLE FACTOR.

reserved.
• VARIABLE X
- is a variable associated
with an outcome
interest of Y which
means that these two
variable are correlated.
• VARIABLE Y
- Is a condition developed
due to some risk actors

reserved.
Causes and Risk Factors for
Abnormal Behavior
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1. Necessary, Sufficient, and
Contributory Causes
Example:
General Paresis (Y) – a
degenerative brain disorder cannot
be developed unless a person has
previously contracted syphilis (X)
Example: what causes

depression?
Hopelessness is sufficient
cause of depression.
Example:
Parental Rejection increase the
probability that a child will later
have difficulty in handling close
personal relationships or could
contribute depression.

Figure 3.1: Abnormal Behavior:
Types of Causes

Necessary, Sufficient, and
Contributory Causes
It is important to Example: Depression
•Loss of parent early in life
distinguish between •Abusive or neglectful parents
These contributory factors predisposing a
person to depression or antisocial
behaviors later in life .
Example: Depression
•Disappointment at school/work
•Severe difficulties with a school
friend or a marital partner
Example: Depression
•The person alienates friends and
family, leading to a greater sense
of rejection that reinforces the
existing depression.

2. Feedback and Bidirectionality in
Abnormal Behavior
In the study of abnormal psychology, why

can it be difficult to specify which conditions
are causes and which are effects?

Feedback and Bidirectionality in
Abnormal Behavior
• When more than one causal factor is involved, a causal
pattern is found.
• Simple cause‑and‑effect sequences are rare in
abnormality.
• Complex systems of feedback produce patterns of
interaction and circularity.
• Causal pattern is when more than one factor is involved
in the cause.

reserved.
3. DIATHESIS-STRESS MODELS
• Preexisting Vulnerability for that disorder
experiences a major stressor.
DIATHESIS
• Diathesis is a predisposition toward a

given disorder that can derive from
biological, psychosocial, and
sociocultural causal factors.

reserved.
Diathesis-Stress Models
Diathesis:
Relatively distal Stress: Response
necessary or Additive Model
of individual to
contributory cause Interactive Model taxing demands
that is not sufficient
to cause disorder
Diathesis-stress
models:
Combination of
diathesis and
stress to cause
disorder

Figure 3.2: Diathesis Stress Model
Several models of how diathesis and
stress may combine to produce a
disorder:
a. Additive model: diathesis and
stress together must reach a
particular level; may reach this
level with only diathesis or
stress but easier if both are
present
b. Interactive model: some
amount of diathesis required

Diathesis-Stress Models
Protective factors: Resilience: Ability to

Influences that successfully adapt to
modify person’s very difficult
response circumstances
Positive or
Negative
“steeling or
“inoculation”
Protective
Attributes

Perspective to Understanding
the Causes of Abnormal Behavior

Biological Viewpoint and
Causal Factors

Biological Viewpoint and Causal Factors
Four categories of biological factors

relevant to maladaptive behavior
include:
Brain Neurotransmitter
Genetic and hormonal
dysfunction and Temperament
vulnerabilities abnormalities in
neural plasticity
brain

1. Genetic Vulnerabilities
True or False?
Heredity is important predisposing causal

factor for number of disorders.

Figure 3.6:
Human Chromosome Pairs
1. Genes-very long molecules of DNA that
are present at various locations on
chromosomes.
2. Chromosomes—chain-like structures
within a cell nucleus that contain genes
3. Vulnerabilities to mental disorders are
almost always polygenic, which means
multiple genes influence them.
4. Genes affect behavior indirectly;
expression is not a simple outcome of
the information encoded in the DNA but
is the end product of a process that is
influenced by the internal and external
environment.

The Relationship of Genotypes
to Phenotypes

Genotype–Environment Correlations
Individual’s
genotype may
shape
environment
experiences
in the following
ways:

The Relationship of Genotypes
to Phenotypes

• Observe samples of relatives
Be Methods for Studying & compare incidence rate in
Ge ha Genetic Influences family to rate in population
ne vio
ti c r
s Family history • Compare rates of disorders in
method identical twins to rates in
nonidentical twins
Traditional Twin method
methods • Compare adopted offspring with
normal biological parents to
offspring with biological parents
Adoption with disorder
method
• studies mental disorders on
known chromosomes of genes
for inherited physical
Linkage characteristics
analysis
More recent • Compare frequencies in population
with and without disorder and
methods Association compare frequencies of traits with
known genetic markers
studies
2. Brain Dysfunction and
Neural Plasticity
True or False?
1. Subtle deficiencies of brain function
are rarely implicated in mental disorders.
2.Genetic programs for brain

development are not as rigid and
deterministic as was once believed.

Brain Dysfunction and
Neural Plasticity
Considerable neural plasticity or flexibility of the

brain in making changes in organization and
function in response to pre- and post-natal
experiences, stress, diet, disease, drugs,
maturation, etc
Animal studies clearly document that both positive

and negative events can lead to changes in the
structure and functioning of the brain
Recent evidence suggests that unstimulating,

deprived environments can cause retarded
development in humans.

reserved.
Figure 3.7: Bidirectional Influences

3. Imbalances of Neurotransmitter
and Hormones
Do you know how neurons communicate?

Figure 3.4: Neurotransmission and Abnormal
Behavior

reserved.
Neurotransmitter and Hormonal
Abnormalities

Imbalance occurs from:
• Excessive production and/or release of •Norepinephrine
neurotransmitter into synapse -For emergency reactions
• Dysfunction in deactivation of neurotransmitter •Dopamine
in synapse -For pleasure and cognitive
• Receptors may be abnormally sensitive or processing
insensitive
•Serotonin
-On the way we think and process
information from our environment
as well as on behaviors and
Neurons that are sensitive to a particular moods.
neurotransmitter tend to cluster together, •Glutamate
formal neural paths between different parts - powerful excitatory ; learning &
of the brain known as Chemical Circuits memory
•GABA
-Reducing anxiety as well as other
emotional states characterized by
5 important neurotransmitters: high levels of arousal.
norepinephrine, dopamine,
serotonin, glutamate, GABA

reserved.
Figure 3.5: Major Glands of
Endocrine System

reserved.
4. Temperament

Five Dimensions of Temperament
Constraint
Extraversion
Neuroticism

Impact of
Biological Viewpoint
1. Host of new drugs has brought
attention to biological
viewpoints
2. Gorenstein points out that it is
illusory to say biological
differences signal illness.
3. Gorenstein also points out that
psychological causes can be
distinguished from biological
causes only prior to their entry
into the central nervous system.
4. Mediated—psychological
events are controlled through the
activities of the CNS.


PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

reserved.
The Psychological Viewpoints
Psychodynamic
Cognitive-
Behavioral Behavioral

The Psychodynamic Perspectives

The Psychodynamic Perspectives
Ego often deals with neurotic or moral anxiety by
resorting to ego-defense mechanisms
How many of these defense

mechanisms can you identify?

Ego-Defense Mechanisms

Psychosexual Stages of Development

The Oedipus Complex and
the Electra Complex

Newer Psychodynamic Perspectives
Ego psychology
Attachment Object-relations
theory theory
Interpersonal
perspective
Newer Psychodynamic Perspectives
Ego psychology
Attachment Object-relations
theory theory
Interpersonal
perspective
The Behavioral Perspective
What provides the central theme of the

behavioral approach?

Figure 3.9: Classical Conditioning

Classical Conditioning

Instrumental Conditioning
Instrumental (or operant) conditioning: New

responses are learned and tend to reoccur
if they are reinforced
Can you provide an example?

Generalization and Discrimination

reserved.
Observational Learning
Maladaptive behavior is viewed as
essentially the result of:
(1)Failure to learn necessary
adaptive behaviors or
competencies
(2)Learning of ineffective or
maladaptive responses
Observational
learning:
• Learning through
observation alone

The Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective

The Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective

What the Adoption of a Perspective
Does Do

ASSIGNMENT
Explain the difference of psychological

and causal factors in Abnormal
Behavior
Assignment: Describe what are the

viewpoints or positions of
Psychodynamic, Behavioral and
Cognitive approaches on Alcohol
Dependence

reserved.
What the Adoption of a Perspective
Does Not Do

Figure 3.10: Three Major Psychological
Perspectives on Alcohol Dependence

Psychological Causal Factors
Assignment: Explain
the difference of
psychological and
causal factors in
Abnormal Behavior

Early Deprivation or Trauma

Figure 3.12: Viewpoints on Parental Deprivation

Inadequate Parenting Styles
Let’s take a closer look on the next slide.

reserved.
Figure 3.13: Parenting Styles

Marital Discord and Divorce

Maladaptive Peer Relationships

The Sociocultural Viewpoint

Uncovering Sociocultural Factors
Through Cross-Cultural Studies

Sociocultural Causal Factors
Can you identify the sociocultural

factors associated with greater risk for
various disorders?

Low Socioeconomic Status
and Unemployment
In the U.S., the lower the socioeconomic

class, the higher the incidence of mental
disorders
Why do you think this occurs?

Prejudice and Discrimination in Race,
Gender, and Ethnicity

Social Change and Uncertainty

Urban Stressors:
Violence and Homelessness

The Impact of the
Sociocultural Viewpoint
What was previously an almost exclusive
concern with individuals has broadened to
include societal, communal, and familiar
factors related to mental health.
What impact might this have on society?

Unresolved Issues

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ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

Causal Factors and Viewpoints

• Relationships among variables by observing

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights

• The causality of the two variables will depend on

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Example: what causes

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

In the study of abnormal psychology, why

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights

• Diathesis is a predisposition toward a

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Protective factors: Resilience: Ability to

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Four categories of biological factors

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Heredity is important predisposing causal

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

2.Genetic programs for brain

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Considerable neural plasticity or flexibility of the

Animal studies clearly document that both positive

Recent evidence suggests that unstimulating,

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Do you know how neurons communicate?

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

How many of these defense

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© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

What provides the central theme of the

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Instrumental (or operant) conditioning: New

Can you provide an example?

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights