뒤로Causal Factors and Viewpoints in Abnormal Psychology
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Causal Factors and Risk Factors for Abnormal Behavior
Introduction to Etiology
The study of abnormal psychology involves understanding the causes and risk factors that contribute to the development of psychological disorders. Etiology refers to the causal pattern of abnormal behavior, encompassing various types of causes and their interactions.
Etiology: The study of the origins and causes of psychological disorders.
Risk factors: Characteristics or conditions that increase the likelihood of developing a disorder.
Types of Causes
Abnormal behavior can arise from different types of causal factors, each with distinct roles in the development of disorders.
Necessary Cause: A characteristic (X) that must exist for a disorder (Y) to occur. Without X, Y cannot develop.
Sufficient Cause: A condition that guarantees the occurrence of a disorder. If X occurs, Y will also occur.
Contributory Cause: A factor that increases the probability of a disorder developing but is neither necessary nor sufficient for the disorder to occur.
Example: Genetic predisposition may be a contributory cause for depression, but not all individuals with the predisposition will develop the disorder.
Distal and Proximal Causal Factors
It is important to distinguish between the timing and immediacy of causal factors in abnormal behavior.
Distal Causal Factors: Factors that occur early in life and may not show effects for many years.
Proximal (Immediate) Causal Factors: Factors that occur shortly before the onset of symptoms.
Reinforcing Contributory Cause: A condition that maintains or reinforces maladaptive behavior that is already occurring.
Example: Childhood trauma (distal) may predispose an individual to anxiety disorders, while a recent stressful event (proximal) may trigger the onset of symptoms.
Diathesis-Stress Models
Understanding the Diathesis-Stress Model
The diathesis-stress model explains how psychological disorders develop through the interaction of predispositional vulnerabilities and environmental stressors.
Diathesis: A relatively distal necessary or contributory cause that is not sufficient to cause a disorder on its own.
Stress: The response of an individual to taxing demands or life events.
Diathesis-Stress Model: The combination of diathesis and stress leads to the development of a disorder.
Example: An individual with a genetic vulnerability (diathesis) may develop depression only after experiencing significant life stress.
Models of Diathesis-Stress Interaction
Additive Model: The risk of disorder increases as the sum of diathesis and stress exceeds a threshold.
Interactive Model: The presence of diathesis may only lead to disorder when combined with sufficient stress.
Protective Factors and Resilience
Protective Factors: Conditions that decrease the likelihood of negative outcomes among those at risk (e.g., supportive family environment, successful coping with stress).
Resilience: The ability to adapt successfully to very difficult circumstances.
Example: Adolescents with high emotional intelligence are less likely to show negative outcomes following childhood abuse.
Summary Table: Types of Causes
Type of Cause | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
Necessary | Must exist for disorder to occur | Presence of a specific gene for a genetic disorder |
Sufficient | Guarantees disorder if present | Severe brain injury causing cognitive impairment |
Contributory | Increases probability but not required | Chronic stress increasing risk for depression |
Distal | Occurs early, effects seen later | Early childhood neglect |
Proximal | Occurs shortly before symptoms | Recent job loss |
Additional info: These concepts are foundational in abnormal psychology and are used to guide research, diagnosis, and treatment planning for psychological disorders.
