Explain the biological (genetic and neuroscientific); psychological (behavioral and cognitive processes, emotional, developmental); and social, cultural, and interpersonal factors that influence the development of psychopathology.
Use the reading assignments thoroughly in an integrative discussion. Remember to reference all work cited or quoted by the text author. You should be doing this often in your responses.
Additional evidence-based research may be used, to support the text information, but not replace the text. Remember to cite and reference in APA format.
Respond to each question in 1-1½ pages per question.
Total assignments should be 5-7 pages plus a title and reference page.
1. Explain how what is known about the brain bases of memory and reward enhance psychopathologists’ understanding of mental illness. How do these neuroscientific insights encourage a dimensional approach to psychopathology, rather than the traditional categorical one?
2. It is widely recognized that people with autism spectrum disorder display deficits in communication and social behavior. It is perhaps less often noted that in some areas, their abilities may surpass those of people without autism spectrum disorder.
Draw off what you have learned in the text to support this statement. Very generally, how do the enhanced abilities of those with autism spectrum disorder lend credence to an evolutionary approach to psychopathology?
3. Succinctly distinguish among traditional cognitive therapy, “new wave” cognitive therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and psychodynamic therapy with respect to the aspects of the client’s experience that is thought to be most important in treating depression.
4. Distinguish between adjustment disorder, acute stress disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder with respect to the nature of the precipitating event, the symptoms required for diagnosis, and the duration of the symptoms.
5. Exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy offer effective psychological treatment alternatives for many of the anxiety disorders. In a few sentences, contrast the general focus and overall approach of exposure therapy with that of cognitive behavioral therapy. Illustrate the distinction with specific reference to the treatment of social anxiety disorder.
