Christy Drummond Discussion Wk 1: Factors That Influence the Development of Psychopathology COLLAPSE Factors That Influence the Development of Psychopathology Psychopathology is defined as the study of mental illness. Culture, social, biological, and psychological factors can influence the development of psychopathology. For years researchers have studied humans to determine if genetic or environmental factors have a more significant impact on a person's behavior. The better we can understand why a mental disorder develops, the easier it will be to find effective treatments (Cuncic, 2020). For this discussion post, I will identify different factors that influence psychopathology. Biological (Genetic and Neuroscientific) Biological factors affect psychopathology. According to Sadock et al. (2015), "The study of families with the use of population genetic methods over the last 50 years has consistently supported a genetic, heritable component to mental disorders." Hereditary traits influence how a person will respond to different situations throughout their lifetime. The brain is comprised of many neurons and neurotransmitters that play a role in mental health disorders. Research has found 40-70% of a person's cognition, temperament, and personality arise from genetic factors (Sadock et al., 2015). In addition, many factors (drug use, smoking, premature birth) during pregnancy affect a fetus's biological makeup that can cause lifelong complications. Schizophrenia, depression, autism, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are all neuropsychiatric conditions that originate during brain development (Sadock et al., 2015). Also, the way a person's body reacts to medications used to treat these disorders is influenced by genetics. It is impossible to explain the influence biologics have on psychopathology in one discussion post; many detailed books have been written hundreds of pages long attempting to explain the phenomenon. Psychological (Behavioral and Cognitive Processes, Emotional, Developmental) Psychological factors play a role in psychopathology. These factors can occur due to traumas such as childhood neglect, the death of an immediate family member, and abuse (physical, emotional, sexual). Physiological symptoms observed with psychopathology vary but can include changes in eating habits or mood, excessive worry, anxiety, distress, or fear, inability to concentrate, irritability or anger, low energy, sleep disturbances, and feelings of fatigue (Cuncic, 2020). Many times mental health disorders arise from the adverse effects during childhood or young adulthood. According to Masten & Kalstabakken (2018), "Community- or family-level violence can influence stress regulation systems within individuals." These stress regulation systems can lead to mental health disorders, including addiction, anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Psychological trends have been studied in some individuals that make .