A new “inside-out” perspective on general factor p
European Psychiatry August 5, 2019 Thomas M. Kelley, William F. Pettit, Jack Pransky et al. 6 citations
A general factor of psychopathology may arise through two opposing forms of neural plasticity. Early plasticity, called TEMP (Temperature or Entropy Mediated Plasticity), increases model variance, learning rate, and entropy, making the system more malleable. Later, Hebbian-like canalization increases precision and narrows the phenotypic state-space, entrenching pathological patterns as a defensive response to adversity. The model suggests that TEMP, combined with gentle psychological support, can counter canalization. The article discusses when canalization is adaptive versus maladaptive and proposes concrete experiments to test the model's hypotheses.