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MRF Psychology AS > Abnormality - Biological Approach > Flashcards

Abnormality - Biological Approach Flashcards

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1
Q

What is abnormality due to?

A

Brain dysfunction

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2
Q

What is the relationship between mental and physical illness?

A

Mental is analogous to physical

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3
Q

What are the 3 explanations for disorders?

A

Genetics
Biochemistry
Brain Structure

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4
Q

What are some methods of testing for genetic effects?

A

Twin studies
Separated twin studies
Adoption studies
Molecular genetics

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5
Q

What is concordance?

A

It is a measure of similarity

Used when measuring similarity of disorders

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6
Q

Explain twin studies?

A 
Comparing monozygotic (identical twins) with dizygotic (non-identical twins) 
If it is genetic there should be a higher rate with MZ's than in DZ's
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7
Q

Define monozygotic?

A

They are identical twins

MZ’s

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8
Q

Define dizygotic?

A

They are non-identical twins

DZ’s

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9
Q

Explain adoption studies?

A

Identify the % of adopted offspring of biological parents with a mental illness who develop the same illness
Compared with base rate (population) or the concordance rate in a sample of adopted offspring whose biological parent don’t have an illness

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10
Q

Explain separated twin studies?

A

Identify concordance rate between separated MZ twins - where at least 1 has an illness
Compare to base rate of the population

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11
Q

Explain molecular genetics studies?

A

Identify specific genes carried by those with an illness more than by those without the illness

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12
Q

What are the overall conclusions from genetic studies?

A

There is a MODERATE-STRONG effect on the more serious disorder such as bipolar or schizophrenia
There is a WEAK-MODERATE effect on the less serious disorders like phobias

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13
Q

Explain the Gottesman 1990 study?

A 
For schizophrenia 
Found that concordance rates were 
48% for MZ's
17% for DZ's 
Meta analysis
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14
Q

Explain the Kendler et al 1992 study?

A

Social Phobias
Concordance rates at:
24% for MZ’s
15% for DZ’s

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15
Q

Explain the Tienari et al 1987 study?

A

Schizophrenia
Concordance rate at:
7% between adopted offspring and their biological mothers
1.5% of adopted offspring of non-schizophrenic biological mothers

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16
Q

What is a problem with twin studies?

A

Greater similarity with their environment
MZ’s treated more similarly than DZ’s because they look like each other - shared environment makes MZ’s similar
MZ’s also have similar pre-natal environments

17
Q

What is a problem with adoption studies?

A

Some adoptive parents might not want to adopt a child with a parent that has a disorder

18
Q

State a further conclusion about genetics?

A

There is no evidence to prove that any disorder is entirely genetic
Could be that some people develop an illness for genetic or environmental reasons

19
Q

What is the diathesis stress model?

A 
Genes (diathesis) make some people more vulnerable to mental illness 
Environmental events (stressors) determine if and when those people develop the illness
20
Q

What did the Tienari research team find out about the diathesis stress model?

A

Analysed the quality of parenting of the adoptive parents
They found that the adoptees (those with mother with schizophrenia) who developed schizophrenic grew up in homes with poor communication
Among the adoptees with non Sz biological parents the quality of communication did not predict development of Sz

21
Q

What are psychological disorders caused by?

A

Biochemical abnormalities in the brain

22
Q

Are abnormalities different for different disorders?

A

Yes

23
Q

What is the dopamine hypothesis?

A

Schizophrenia has been claimed to be a result of excessive levels of dopamine in the brain or sensitivity of dopamine receptors
More recent version of the theory has claimed that the locus of dysfunction is pre-synaptic

24
Q

What does Wong et al 1986 show?

A

Evidence from PET scans

Greater dopamine receptor density in those with schizophrenia

25
Q

What is some other evidence from post mortems?

A

Higher levels of dopamine found in the brain of those who suffered with schizophrenia

26
Q

What is a successful treatment for schizophrenia?

A

Drugs that block the receptors is the only successful treatment

27
Q

What have anxiety disorders been linked with?

A

Low levels of GABA

28
Q

State some examples of anxiety disorders?

A

Social phobias

GAD

29
Q

What is GABA?

A

An inhibitory neurotransmitter - reduces the overall levels of brain activity
Low levels of GABA = more activity & greater anxiety - higher chance of developing disorders

30
Q

What is the evidence about the role of GABA?

A

Studies of benzodiazepines which mimic the effect of GABA
Moderately successful in reducing anxiety
Provides weaker evidence for the role of GABA

MRF Psychology AS (17 decks)

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