Biological EXPLANATIONS of Stress - Wender

Question 1

Assumptions of biological explanation

Answer 1

Assumes we may have a genetic vulnerability to depression

Question 2

What are THREE neurotransmitters

Answer 2

Noradrenaline, serotonin, dopamine

Question 3

Aim of Wender

Answer 3

Investigate the contribution of genetic and environmental factors in the etiology of mood disorders

Question 4

Participants of Wender

Answer 4

Adoptive and biological relatives of 71 adult adoptees mean age 43.7 who had a moods disorder
- 71 psychologically normal adoptees

Question 5

Procedure of Wender

Answer 5

Psychiatric evaluations of relatives were made by independent blind diagnoses of mental hospital

Question 6

Results of Wender

Answer 6

• 8 fold increase in unipolar depression of biological relatives
• 15 fold increase in suicidal rate in biological relatives

Question 7

Conclusions of Wender

Answer 7

Significant genetic link between unipolar depression and suicide