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Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Treatment of Mental Disorders

Video Exercises

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Undoing Depression

You can train dogs to bark or sit. But what about training mice to grow new brain cells? A Nobel Prize winning scientist has done that, and he says it could lead to new ways to treat depression in people.

Interviewee: Eric Kandel, Columbia University?

Copyright © ScienCentral, Inc.

It may seem odd to study mice to understand clinical depression, but Dr. Eric Kandel shows that mice can provide important insights into human problems.

1.
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Dr. Kandel produced “depression” in mice by putting them in a hopeless situation until they gave up trying to escape. He found that giving the antidepressant drugs could revive their motivation to save themselves. If these drugs are similar to ones given to humans, what neurotransmitters are likely to be the target of these drugs?
2.
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The video indicates that the animals have been given “behavioral therapy.” Behavioral therapy is based on learning principles that you studied back in Chapter 6. The researchers trained the mice to feel safe in the presence of a particular sound. Is the treatment described in this video based on classical conditioning or operant conditioning?
3.
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If drugs can effectively treat people for depression, is there any reason to develop techniques like the one described in the video? Is there any practical value in this type of research?
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Virtual Alcohol Control

Scientists are using virtual reality to help alcoholics cope with situations that might get them in trouble. This ScienCentral News video explains.

Interviewee: Patrick Bordnick, University of Houston?

Copyright © ScienCentral, Inc., with additional footage courtesy Patrick Bordnick and Virtually Better.

Clinical psychologists often work with people who suffer from addictions, such as those discussed in this video. However, in this exercise, we will try to think of other uses for this amazing technology.

4.
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The value of virtual reality is that it allows a person with a psychological problem to confront a situation they find difficult or threatening. The person and the therapist can see how they react to that situation, and they can work directly on the reaction. One of the major problems people encounter in depression is negative thought patterns and responses to other people that push them away. How might virtual therapy be adapted for working with someone who is depressed?
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How might virtual therapy be adapted for treatment of panic disorder?
6.
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On of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia is loss of social skills. How might a therapist use virtual therapy to help someone with schizophrenia who is fearful and awkward in interacting with other people?
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Could virtual therapy be used to help children with ADHD? If so, how could this new technology be used?
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Schizophrenia Gene Puzzle

Scientists are trying to decode the genetic causes of schizophrenia. But as this ScienCentral News video explains, new research suggests that nearly every person with the illness has a different genetic defect.

Interviewees: Cynthia, has schizoaffective disorder; Jon McClellan, Seattle Children's Hospital

Copyright © ScienCentral, Inc.

According to your textbook, a many as 1% of the population suffers from a complex family of disorders called schizophrenia. As is true with any disorder, there is hope that scientific understanding of underlying causes can help provide assistance so that those with the disorder can lead full, happy, and fulfilling lives.

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Cynthia is the subject of the video. Which of the major types of schizophrenia is most consistent with the symptoms Cynthia mentions and her behavior in the video?
9.
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Cynthia mentions one primary symptom (note your answer to question 1). Is this considered a positive or negative symptom of schizophrenia and why?
10.
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Cynthia has actually been diagnosed as having “schizoaffective disorder,” which is not discussed in your textbook. The reason for this diagnosis is that she shows some symptoms of bipolar disorder, as well as those of schizophrenia. If she shows some characteristics of bipolar disorder, what additional symptoms might you expect her to have?
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Researchers have wondered if there is a single gene or small set of genes that, when mutated, produces schizophrenia. What does Dr. McClellan’s research suggest about which genes cause schizophrenia? Is Dr. McClellan’s theory consistent with the textbook’s discussion of the genetics of schizophrenia?
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Snakes on the Brain

New research by psychologists suggests we're born ready to look for snakes. As this ScienCentral News video reports, a series of experiments showed that people–even toddlers–tend to recognize and locate a snake faster than other plants and animals.

Interviewee: Judy DeLoache, University of Virginia

Copyright © ScienCentral, Inc.

It is probably smart to be wary of snakes, but some people feel genuine panic when they see a snake. In this video, Dr. Judy DeLoache, a highly respected developmental psychologist, discusses her own feelings about snakes.

12.
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What is the technical name for a phobia specifically about snakes?
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Dr. DeLoache suggests that she may not simply have a fear of snakes, but probably has a snake phobia. What makes a person’s response a genuine phobia rather than normal wariness?
14.
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Identify some cognitive, situational, and biological factors that could be part of having a snake phobia. Some ideas can come from the video, but you may have to draw on your own ideas for others.

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