Brain abnormality as an explanation of mental illness

Question 1

Explanation for brain abnormality causing mental illness

Answer 1

Differences in neural activity in regions of the brain and differences in total brain volume (structure) can cause mental illness.

Question 2

Coffey et. al. (1993), research for depression

Answer 2

Coffey et. al. (1993) showed that the frontal lobes were smaller in those with depression, after testing with MRI. The frontal lobes are responsible for thinking and cognitive abilities.

Question 3

Milo et. al (2001), research for depression

Answer 3

Milo et. al. (2001) used PET scans to show that people with depression had abnormal blood low to the frontal lobes. After ECT therapy, blood flow improved, with the depressive symptoms.

Question 4

Juckel et. al. (2006), research for schizophrenia

Answer 4

Juckel et. al. (2006) showed that there was a negative correlation between neural activity of the ventral striatum and severity of negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia.

Question 5

Strengths of the brain abnormality explanation of mental illness?

Answer 5

Scientific, objective measurements through the use of MRI and PET scans. The findings are valid and replicable.

Question 6

Limitations of the brain abnormality explanation of mental illness?

Answer 6

• Biological determinism as it suggests that a person with a abnormal brain activity or abnormal structure will develop a mental illness
• Difficult to establish the cause of brain abnormality
• Reductionist as it ignores other factors of mental illness such cognitive factors