Biological Explanations for depression- Monoamine hypothesis.

Question 1

What are Monoamines?

Answer 1

They are a type of neurotransmitter that includes serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine.

Question 2

Which monoamine in particular is highlighted?

Answer 2

Serotonin is highlighted as being the cause of low mood. Having low levels of serotonin can cause low levels of other monoamines, and can affect sleep, social behaviour etc.

Question 3

Which treatment is supported by the monoamine hypothesis?

Answer 3

Drug treatments and antidepressant drugs are supported. These work by raising serotonin, which reduces the depressive symptoms.

Question 4

What are the genetic and environmental factors of this hypothesis?

Answer 4

A diathesis-stress model of depression has to be taken into account when looking at the hypothesis. This suggests that people can be genetically predisposed to have depression, but it is triggered by environmental factors.

Question 5

Evaluative strengths.

Answer 5

The different monoamines link to different symptoms and treatment is related to this.

Lots of research evidence has been put forward for a biological explanation of depression (Haase and Bram, Delgado).

Lots of evidence clearly links monoamines to depression. This includes research into appropriate treatment, which shows introduction of monoamines lessen symptoms.

Question 6

Evaluative Weaknesses.

Answer 6

There are drugs that affect symptoms that don’t affect the monoamines. This suggests the theory is too reductionist.

Experiments where monoamines have been depleted havn’t always caused depressive symptoms.

MRI scans have shown brain differences, suggesting a different cause.