biological (neural) explanations

Question 1

neural correlates

Answer 1

• sz is due to structural and functional brain abnormalities, specific brain areas are linked to the disorders development
• research used to be limited to post mortems, but now uses non invasive scans like fMRIs. therefore the functioning of sz brains can be compared to those without it to identify brain areas linked to sz
• it proposes that sz is caused by enlarged ventricles (the fluid-filled gaps between brain areas), which are associated with damage to central brain areas and the prefrontal cortex which is linked to neg symptoms

Question 2

give a limitation of neural correlates
1/3

Answer 2

research suggests enlarged ventricles only explain certain symptoms. weyandt (2006) stated they are only associated with neg symptoms. therefore this explanation can’t explain all aspects of sz

Question 3

give a limitation of neural correlates
2/3

Answer 3

research into the role of enlarged ventricles is inconclusive. some people without sz have them and some with sz don’t have them. this contradicts the idea that sz is linked to a loss of brain. if this were the sole cause of sz, everyone with enlarged ventricles would have the disorder

Question 4

give a limitation of neural correlates
3/3

Answer 4

evidence suggests those with sz that don’t respond to medication are those with enlarged ventricles. it may in fact be that the sz causes long term brain damage (enlarged ventricles) rather than it causing sz