Clinical: Biological Explanation Flashcards
How many genes are in the human Genome?
23,000 genes
What do genes consist of?
DNA strands which holds instructions for general physical features of an organism and psychological functioning.
What is the heritability of schizophrenia?
What does this suggest?
79%
Which suggests a large role for genetic factors in determining the disorder.
How can gene mutations cause schizophrenia?
In the absence of family history, the DNA code in one or more genes may spontaneously change. Resulting from an environmental factor or an error during cell division. For example, DiGeorge syndrome is caused by the deletion of around 30 to 40 neighbouring genes located in the chromosome, 22,25% of people with this condition develop schizophrenia
What is the diathesis stress model?
It explains that genes create a vulnerability for schizophrenia rather than a cause. You may possess schizophrenic genes, but the condition is only triggered by other biological or environmental affects. For example, harsh parenting.
Evaluate the supporting evidence of the biological explanation of schizophrenia?
Twin studies in adoption, studies show, clear evidence of genetic aspect of schizophrenia as people related to someone with schizophrenia are more likely to have the disorder.
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What is the opposing evidence to the biological explanation?
A weakness is that the biological explanation is reduction list. Adoption studies and twin studies do not show 100% concordance therefore meaning there are other environmental factors at play. Also biological evidence is always in the form of an observed correlation and correlations do not show cause.
What is a different theory than a biological explanation?
The dopamine hypothesis describes schizophrenia rather than explain it. The cognitive explanation fills gaps for example, biological science psychologist noticed that even if dopamine levels are corrected by using drugs, it still takes days or weeks for positive symptoms to fade.
What is the application of the genetic explanation of schizophrenia?
It’s led to the development of antipsychotic drugs. However, these drugs are more effective at reducing positive symptoms the negative symptoms and include many nasty side-effects lethargy.
What is the prevalence of two MZ twins both having schizophrenia?
What is the percentage for DZ?
How common is it to appear in the general public?
48%= Mz
17%= Dz
1%= General population
