Test Bank for Abnormal Child Psychology 5th Edition Mash

2 Theories and Causes Chapter Summary: There are many factors and processes, which may influence child and family disturbances (e.g., biological, psychological, familial, cultural). The study of the etiology of childhood disorders is a consideration of how different variables interact to produce a particular outcome. An integrative approach allows for many different theories and models to contribute insights into human behavior. The developmental psychopathology perspective provides a general framework of studying childhood disorders and emphasizes the role of developmental processes, and the influence of multiple, interrelated events in guiding both abnormal and normal development. Importantly, the developmental psychopathology perspective stresses that an understanding of normal development is necessary in order to appropriately understand abnormal development. Biological perspectives examine how children’s brain development is influenced by genetics, neuroanatomy, and maturation rates. Brain development and environmental experiences interact as a child’s brain structure develops, with development continuing throughout a person’s lifetime. Neural plasticity, genetics, brain structures, the endocrine system, and neurotransmitters all play significant roles in brain function. Psychological perspectives examine emotional, behavioral and cognitive influences on abnormal behavior. Emotional reactivity and regulation, as well as temperament and personality, play a role in the emotional development of the child. Behavioral and cognitive perspectives emphasize children’s learning and interpretation of their environment. Three major approaches that follow behavioral or cognitive-behavioral models include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), classical conditioning, and social learning and cognition theories. Family and cultural perspectives view the child’s social and environmental situations as influential factors. Knowledge about a child’s attachment level and family relationships is essential in understanding behavior. A health promotion view recognizes that many causes interact together within a child’s environment, and this perspective is emphasized within the context of understanding abnormal child psychology. Chapter Outline: I. Theoretical Foundations • The study of abnormal child behavior requires an understanding of developmental processes and of individual and situational events that can influence the course and direction of a particular child • Theories allow us to predict behavior based on samples of knowledge • The study of the etiology of childhood disorders considers how biological, psychological, and environmental processes interact to produce outcomes over time