IB Psychology Topic Explanations of Health Problems Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Psychology Topic Explanations of Health Problems Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

Biological explanations: genetic and neurochemical factors create vulnerability

Health problems arise from genetic predisposition, brain structure abnormalities, and neurotransmitter dysregulation—but biology alone does not determine outcomes.

Genetic predisposition: twin studies show heritability of 40-60% for addiction and elevated risk for depression, anxiety, and obesity, but identical twins raised apart often develop different outcomes due to environment.
Neurochemistry: chronic stress dysregulates dopamine, serotonin, and cortisol; imbalances in these neurotransmitters drive depression, anxiety, substance dependence, and reward-seeking behaviours.
Brain structure dysfunction: prefrontal cortex hypofunctioning impairs impulse control and risk assessment, increasing vulnerability to addiction; amygdala hyperactivity amplifies anxiety and threat perception.

Example

Addictive drugs increase dopamine 2-10 times above baseline. Repeated use causes downregulation of dopamine receptors, requiring higher doses to achieve the same high—a neurochemical explanation for tolerance and dependence.

Cognitive explanations: thinking patterns and beliefs shape health behaviours

Cognitive distortions—maladaptive beliefs about health, the body, and coping—maintain unhealthy behaviours and worsen psychological distress.

Catastrophic thinking: interpreting minor symptoms (e.g., headache) as signs of serious disease (e.g., brain tumour) triggers health anxiety, avoidance of normal activities, and excessive medical checking.

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

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Biological explanations: genetic and neurochemical factors create vulnerability

Health problems arise from genetic predisposition, brain structure abnormalities, and neurotransmitter dysregulation—but biology alone does not determine outcomes.

Genetic predisposition: twin studies show heritability of 40-60% for addiction and elevated risk for depression, anxiety, and obesity, but identical twins raised apart often develop different outcomes due to environment.
Neurochemistry: chronic stress dysregulates dopamine, serotonin, and cortisol; imbalances in these neurotransmitters drive depression, anxiety, substance dependence, and reward-seeking behaviours.
Brain structure dysfunction: prefrontal cortex hypofunctioning impairs impulse control and risk assessment, increasing vulnerability to addiction; amygdala hyperactivity amplifies anxiety and threat perception.

Example

Addictive drugs increase dopamine 2-10 times above baseline. Repeated use causes downregulation of dopamine receptors, requiring higher doses to achieve the same high—a neurochemical explanation for tolerance and dependence.

Cognitive explanations: thinking patterns and beliefs shape health behaviours

Cognitive distortions—maladaptive beliefs about health, the body, and coping—maintain unhealthy behaviours and worsen psychological distress.

Catastrophic thinking: interpreting minor symptoms (e.g., headache) as signs of serious disease (e.g., brain tumour) triggers health anxiety, avoidance of normal activities, and excessive medical checking.

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

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Biological Approach4 subtopics

Cognitive Approach4 subtopics

Sociocultural Approach4 subtopics

Option 1: Abnormal Psychology3 subtopics

Option 2: Developmental Psychology3 subtopics

Option 3: Health Psychology3 subtopics

Option 4: Human Relationships3 subtopics

IB Psychology Explanations of Health Problems Notes

Biological Approach4 subtopics

Cognitive Approach4 subtopics

Sociocultural Approach4 subtopics

Option 1: Abnormal Psychology3 subtopics

Option 2: Developmental Psychology3 subtopics

Option 3: Health Psychology3 subtopics

Option 4: Human Relationships3 subtopics

Biological explanations: genetic and neurochemical factors create vulnerability

Cognitive explanations: thinking patterns and beliefs shape health behaviours

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Biological explanations: genetic and neurochemical factors create vulnerability

Cognitive explanations: thinking patterns and beliefs shape health behaviours

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account