Biological explanations-EVAL Flashcards
one strength of the genetic explanation of sz is that there is RESEARCH to support it
Twin studies show a HIGHER concordance rate in MZ to DZ twins showing there may be a GENETIC influence in sz SUPPORTING bio explanation.
HOWEVER there is not a 100% concordance so we CANT state that sz is ENTIRELY genetically influenced as there may be other FACTORS such as environment.
Twins also have the SAME enviro so it’s difficult to SEPARATE the influence of genes and environment.
Therefore we should take an INTERACTIONIST approach where we look at G+E in combo.
ALSO, sample was SMALL lacking POP validity so may NOT generalize to the population as a whole. Genetic influence of THOSE twins but not the same influence to sz on population as a whole.
a STRENGTH of the dopamine hypothesis is that there’s research to SUPPORT the efffectiveness of antipsychotic drugs.
Antipsychotic drugs used to REDUCE positive symptoms of sz are called dopamine antagonists because they BLOCK dopamine activity. they lowe dopamine levels which provide an IMPROVEMENT of symptoms esp reducing POSTIVE ones.
suggests that dopamine DOES have an effect on causing sz, therefore INCREASING validity of dopamine as a cause of sz.
HOWEVER, treatment causation fallacy would not agree and suggests that just because a treatment REDUCES symptoms doesn’t mean it was the CAUSE.
an ISSUE with the dopamine hypothesis is that dopamine may not be the ONLY important factor in development of sz.
An ISSUE with this is that OTHER research suggests other neurotransmitters are also important in sz e.g. GLUTAMATE. this is a problem because suggests that the dopamine hyp is LIMITED and the issue may be more COMPLEX than simply reducing sz down to ONE chemical.
Dopamine hypothesis may therefore be BIO reductionist, takes complex issue of sz and reduces it down to JUST dopamine, when it could be an INTERACTioN with other biochemicals or even an interaction with other factors like family communication.
one ISSUE with nueral correlates is that they ONLY show a correlation between the area of the brain and Sz, they dont necessarily CAUSE sz.
We tend to look at a brain or biochemical once patient already DIAGNOSED so it could be that the UNUSUAL activity in the area caould be CAUSING sz.
However it could be that the unusul activity in the are aof the brain are the EFFECT of a person have sz. If this IS the effect then we begin to question what the CAUSE is.
Also, a THIRD variable could be LINKING to sz and the unusual brain activity e.g. family communication. This is a PROBLEM as we are UNSURE if the neural correlates identified in a patient can ACTUALLY be an explanation for their Sz.
Another issue of the bio explanation of sz is that rather than being ONE factor i.e. bio reductionist, there could be an INTERACTION of factors.
This could be a bio explanation like GENETIC vulnerability which would genetically predispose us to Sz (our diathesis) this could then INTERACT with a STRESSOR such as family communication like double bind (another stressor)
This interaction is the DIATHESIS STRESS APPROACH, giving support for the bio explanation but rather than being the CAUSE they would be the predisposing factor which would lead to sz with certain environmental STRESSORS.
