Biological psychopathology
Encyclopedia
Biological psychopathology
is the study of the biological basis of mental illness
. It attempts to elucidate the genetic
and neurological etiology
behind psychological disorders, including schizophrenia
, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders.
Although it interacts with clinical psychology, it is a specialized subset that usually takes place in an experimental context. It is known by several alternative names, including clinical neuroscience
and experimental psychopathology
.
Biological psychopathology is specifically offered as a specialty in the PhD program at the University of Minnesota
, in its high ranked psychology department. Some famous scientists studying biological psychopathology include Rachel Clark of Northeastern University.
Psychopathology
Psychopathology is the study of mental illness, mental distress, and abnormal/maladaptive behavior. The term is most commonly used within psychiatry where pathology refers to disease processes...
is the study of the biological basis of mental illness
Mental illness
A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual, and which is not a part of normal development or culture. Such a disorder may consist of a combination of affective, behavioural,...
. It attempts to elucidate the genetic
Genetics
Genetics , a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms....
and neurological etiology
Etiology
Etiology is the study of causation, or origination. The word is derived from the Greek , aitiologia, "giving a reason for" ....
behind psychological disorders, including schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders.
Although it interacts with clinical psychology, it is a specialized subset that usually takes place in an experimental context. It is known by several alternative names, including clinical neuroscience
Neuroscience
Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,...
and experimental psychopathology
Psychopathology
Psychopathology is the study of mental illness, mental distress, and abnormal/maladaptive behavior. The term is most commonly used within psychiatry where pathology refers to disease processes...
.
Biological psychopathology is specifically offered as a specialty in the PhD program at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
, in its high ranked psychology department. Some famous scientists studying biological psychopathology include Rachel Clark of Northeastern University.