Ch2: Pt. 2

Question 1

Behavioural and Cognitive Science Contributions (Environmental)

Question 2

What is Cognitive science?

Answer 2

studies how we acquire, process, store, and retrieve information (e.g., memory)

Question 3

Is conditioning based on imitation?

Answer 3

• not purely behavioural
• Not just imitation; has to be some sort of understanding

Question 4

3 major types of behavioural learning

Answer 4

1. Classical conditioning
2. Operant conditioning
3. Observational learning

Question 5

3 components of observational learning:

Answer 5

1. Social Learning Theory (Bandura)
2. Prepared learning
3. Learned helplessness

Question 6

Social Learning Theory

Answer 6

• We learn by observing others, not just through direct experience
• We learn based on context and compare our conditions with what we observed
• Highlights the role of cognitive processes (e.g., attention, expectation, evaluation) on behaviour

Question 7

SLT - modelling:

Answer 7

We imitate behaviors especially when we see them rewarded

Question 8

Prepared Learning

Answer 8

• We are biologically predisposed to fear certain objects (e.g., snakes, spiders)
• Much easier to learn fear of these than neutral items (e.g., rocks, flowers)
• Attributed to evolution – early humans who avoided threats were more likely to survive

Question 9

Learned Helplessness

Answer 9

• A state that can occur after experiencing a stressful situation that one cannot control
• CAN CONNECT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEPRESSION

Question 10

What else can develop beside learned helplessness?

Answer 10

Learned optimism!

Question 11

Implicit memory and cognition

The Modern Unconscious

Answer 11

mental processes that occur without our conscious awareness

Question 12

How can colors, in relation to implicit memory/cognition, give us information about psych disorders? How can we test this?

Answer 12

• The Stroop paradigm tests colour-word interference and allows us to study emotionally significant patterns even when people are not aware or cannot verbalize them
• • Certain psych disorders slower at naming the colours of words associated with their problem (EX: “voices” in red) than colours of words that have no relation to the disorder! (EX: “dog” in red”)

Question 13

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - what does it aim to do?

Answer 13

Identifying and changing problematic thoughts, feelings, and behaviours

Question 14

How does CBT work? (Techniques, duration…)

Answer 14

Techniques include:
* Cognitive Restructuring (restructure maladaptive schema)
* Behavioural tasks such as entering fearful situations to test emotional and cognitive reactions

• Exposure Therapy, Relaxation
• Short term therapy – usually 10-20 sessions

Question 15

Behavioural and Cognitive Science Contributions Takeaway

Answer 15

• Behaviours and cognitions shape learning and adaptation
• Impact psychological disorders, brain function, structure, and even gene expression

Question 16

Behavioural and Cognitive Science - Key concepts:

Answer 16

• Learned helplessness
• Modelling (social learning)
• Prepared learning
• Implicit memory
• CBT

Question 17

Emotion Science (Experience)

Question 18

The Physiology and Purpose of Fear - what physical changes occur during fight or flight?

IDK if you need to know all of these

Answer 18

• Blood redirected to muscles & vital organs (so we’re ready to fight or flee)
• Faster, deeper breathing → more oxygen to brain & muscles
• Increased glucose in blood for energy
• Dilated pupils, heightened senses, dry mouth, halted digestion
• Urge to urinate, defecate, or vomit clears the body for action

Question 19

Emotional Phenomena - Emotion is what kind of tendency?

Answer 19

Emotion is an action tendency (e.g., escape), triggered by:
1. External event (threat)
2. Feeling state (e.g., fear, anger, love)
3. Physiological response (e.g., arousal, tension)

Question 20

How long are emotions?

Answer 20

Brief, (minutes–hours)

Question 21

How long is mood?

Answer 21

More persistent (hours to weeks)

Question 22

How long is affect?

Answer 22

A momentary emotional tone

Question 23

Negative affect

Answer 23

fear, anxiety, depression

Question 24

Positive affect

Answer 24

joy, excitement, pleasure

Question 25

What is a mismatched affect example?

Answer 25

Smiling when sad

Question 26

Emotions and Psychopathology - what can suppressing emotional responses lead to?

Answer 26

Increases sympathetic nervous system activity and may contribute to psychological problems

Question 27

Examples of emotional states in a) anxiety, b) mania, c) depressive disorders

Answer 27

* Panic in anxiety disorders * Mania in bipolar disorders * Extreme sadness in depressive disorders

Question 28

How can basic emotions influence p.d. development?

Answer 28

Dysregulated basic emotions (fear, anger, sadness, excitement) can contribute and define psychological disorders

Question 29

How can positive/negative emotions affect our cognitive processes?

Answer 29

* Positive mood → positive bias in interpretations and impressions * Negative mood → negative bias in interpretations and impressions

Question 30

Emotion Science Contributions Takeaway

Answer 30

* Emotions directly affect physiology for quick responses * Emotions are an action tendency * Emotions are made up of cognitive, behavioural, and physiological components that are highly related and feedback into each other * Emotions play a central role in many psychological disorders * Mood disturbances, i.e., persistent emotional states are common features of disorders

Question 31

Cultural, Social, and Interpersonal Factors (Experience)

Question 32

Social Relationships on Health + Behaviour: benefits of social relationships?

Answer 32

* More **frequent social connections = longer life expectancy** * Social relationships **protective against many physical and psychological disorders**

Question 33

Social Relationships on Health + Behaviour: benefits of social relationships?: negatives of social isolation

Answer 33

* **Risk of depression 80% higher for those who live alone** * **Social isolation can be a health risk** equal to smoking cigarettes and worse than physical inactivity or obesity * **BUT perceived loneliness matters more than actual number of social contacts**

Question 34

Gender Differences

Answer 34

* Dramatic in certain disorders * May respond differently to treatment * May impact treatment seeking behaviours (i.e. stigma)

Question 35

Cultural Explanations of Distress (Experience) - Asian Contexts

Answer 35

* Emotional expressions of depression may be seen as **self-centered** * Cognitive and affective **symptoms less commonly endorsed** * **Somatic symptoms (e.g., fatigue, pain) more often reported** * Leads to **underuse of mental health services**

Question 36

Cultural Explanations of Distress (Experience) - Indigenous Contexts

Answer 36

* Higher rates of **suicide, substance use, family violence** * Linked to **poverty, intergenerational trauma, and historical oppression** (e.g., residential schools) * ***Highlights the impact of colonialism, neglect, and systemic maltreatment – generational trauma*** * Further emphasizes the need to study social and cultural contexts in mental health

Question 37

Lifespan Development

Answer 37

* Research often captures only **a single point in time** * **Vulnerability to stress/disorders varies by age** * Adulthood involves dynamic, ongoing changes until old age * “The End of History illusion” * **Family support in older adults (65+) linked to better health** * Development and experience shapes how psychological problems emerge

Question 38

The Principle of Equifinality

Answer 38

* No single cause for psychological disorders * These paths involve biology, social support, personality, stage of development...