Explanations for Schizophrenia:Biological

Question 1

Genetic Explanation

Answer 1

Suggests schizophrenia is hereditary, inhereited through genes from the parents in the same way as physical characteristics. The C4 Gene has been found to be linked to the development of schizophrenia.

Question 2

Evidence for the genetic explanation-Grotessman

Answer 2

+Grotessman et al found a 46% concordance rate in identical twins with schizophrenia compared to 17% in non identical twins suggesting schizophrenia is genetic
People with a biological schizophrenic parent are 10% more likely to develop the disorder-suggests it runs in families.

Question 3

Twin Studies

Answer 3

Look at concordance rates, rates of both twin having schizophrenia in identical twins with the disorder, if concordance rates are high it suggests a genetic link

Question 4

Gene mapping research

Answer 4

Gurling et Al found the PCMH gene creates a vunerability to schizophrenia

Question 5

Genetic explanation limitation-reductionism

Answer 5

P: A limitation of the genetic explanation for schizophrenia is that it is reductionist
E: It reduces and simplifies all behaviour to biolofy and genetics and overlooks environmental factors which likely influence schizophrenia
E: Morkved et al found that schizophrenics were more likely to have had childhood trauma suggesting environmental stressors may contribute to schizophrenia
E: Too simplistic as genes arent the only factor-may be better explained by diathesis stress model

Question 6

Genetic explanation-limitation-weak research support

Answer 6

P: The genetic explanation for schizophrenia is based on twin studies
E: This is a limitation as concordance rates may be due to environmental factors, additionally, the fact that twin studies never have a 100% concordance rate weakens the explanation as it cant prove schizophrenia to be solely genetic
E: Explanation is weak as it doesnt fully explain the disorder.