Biological explanations for SCZ

Question 1

Genetic explanation for SCZ

Answer 1

Schizophrenia isn’t caused by one gene but by a combination of many genes. These genes affect brain structure and biochemistry, increasing the risk of schizophrenia.

Question 2

Concordance rates

Answer 2

The closer you’re related to someone with schizophrenia, the more likely you are to develop it. This is because you share more genes with them.

Question 3

Neural correlates

Answer 3

Certain changes in brain structure and chemicals are linked to a higher chance of developing schizophrenia.

Question 4

Dopamine hypothesis

Answer 4

Too much dopamine (hyperdopaminergia) in areas like Bocas area can cause symptoms like auditory hallucinations.

Too little dopamine (hypodopaminergia) in areas like the frontal cortex can cause symptoms like speech poverty or avolition.

Question 5

Glutamate

Answer 5

People with schizophrenia often have lower levels of glutamate, a chemical that helps with learning, focus, and memory.

Question 6

Enlarged ventricles

Answer 6

Schizophrenia has been linked to larger spaces (ventricles) in the brain filled with fluid, which might affect brain function.

Question 7

Genetic explanation for SCZ (evaluation)

Answer 7

Gottesman (1991): Identical twins (48% concordance) are more likely to both have schizophrenia than non-identical twins (17%). Since it’s not 100% for identical twins, environment also plays a role.

Question 8

The dopamine hypothesis (evaluation)

Answer 8

A study of 212 cases showed that drugs balancing dopamine were more effective than fake treatments (placebos). This supports the idea that dopamine imbalance plays a role in schizophrenia.

Question 9

Both (evaluation)

Answer 9

Focusing only on biology (genes and brain chemicals) can make people feel powerless and overly dependent on medication. However, combining biology with psychological approaches (e.g., therapy to change thought patterns) can help people take control of their condition.

Explaining schizophrenia using biology is simple and has led to effective drugs. But ignoring psychological causes means missing part of the picture.

Diathesis-Stress Model: Schizophrenia likely comes from a genetic vulnerability (diathesis), but it needs an environmental trigger (e.g., family stress) to develop. This combines biological and environmental factors.

Question 10

Concordance rate (evaluation).

Answer 10

Tienari (2004): Kids of schizophrenic mothers adopted by healthy families had a lower chance (5.8%) of developing schizophrenia compared to kids raised in dysfunctional families (36.8%). This shows both genetics and environment are important.