genetic explanations

Question 1

What does research suggest about the genetic influences in schizophrenia?

Answer 1

Research suggests that schizophrenia has a significant hereditary component, with evidence from family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies indicating a genetic basis.

Question 2

What types of studies provide evidence for the genetic basis of schizophrenia?

Answer 2

Family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies provide evidence supporting the genetic basis of schizophrenia.

Question 3

How does schizophrenia tend to appear in families, according to genetic research?

Answer 3

Schizophrenia tends to run in families, suggesting that genetic factors play a role in the development of the disorder.

Question 4

What is the purpose of twin studies in understanding schizophrenia?

Answer 4

Twin studies are used to understand the genetic influence of schizophrenia by comparing concordance rates between monozygotic (MZ) twins and dizygotic (DZ) twins.

Question 5

How do monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins differ in their genetic similarities?

Answer 5

MZ twins share 100% of their genes, while DZ twins share 50% of their genes.

Question 6

If schizophrenia were genetically determined, what would you expect in terms of concordance rates between MZ and DZ twins?

Answer 6

If schizophrenia is genetically determined, MZ twins should have higher concordance rates than DZ twins.

Question 7

What did Joseph’s (2004) review of twin studies find regarding concordance rates?

Answer 7

Joseph (2004) found concordance rates of 40.4% in MZ twins compared to 7.4% in DZ twins.

Question 8

How does the higher concordance rate in MZ twins support the role of genetics in schizophrenia?

Answer 8

The higher concordance rate in MZ twins supports the role of genetics, as it shows a stronger genetic influence in the development of schizophrenia.

Question 9

What is the purpose of family studies in understanding schizophrenia?

Answer 9

Family studies are used to examine the prevalence of schizophrenia within families to understand genetic influences on the disorder.

Question 10

What did Gottesman (1991) find in his family study regarding the risk of developing schizophrenia?

Answer 10

Gottesman (1991) found that the risk of developing schizophrenia increases with genetic relatedness.

Question 11

What is the risk of developing schizophrenia for children with two schizophrenic parents, according to Gottesman (1991)?

Answer 11

Children with two schizophrenic parents have a 46% chance of developing schizophrenia.

Question 12

What is the risk of developing schizophrenia for siblings, compared to the general population?

Answer 12

Siblings have a 9% risk of developing schizophrenia, compared to 1% in the general population.

Question 13

What does the pattern of risk in family studies suggest about schizophrenia?

Answer 13

The pattern suggests a genetic contribution to the development of schizophrenia, as risk increases with genetic relatedness.

Question 14

What is the purpose of adoption studies in understanding schizophrenia?

Answer 14

Adoption studies provide insight by separating genetic and environmental factors to better understand their role in the development of schizophrenia.

Question 15

What did Tienari et al. (2000) find in their adoption study?

Answer 15

Tienari et al. (2000) found that adoptees with biological mothers diagnosed with schizophrenia were significantly more likely to develop schizophrenia.

Question 16

What percentage of adoptees with schizophrenic mothers developed schizophrenia in Tienari et al.’s study?

Answer 16

6.7% of adoptees with schizophrenic mothers developed schizophrenia.

Question 17

What percentage of adoptees without schizophrenic mothers developed schizophrenia in Tienari et al.’s study?

Answer 17

Only 2% of adoptees without schizophrenic mothers developed schizophrenia.

Question 18

What does the finding of a higher rate of schizophrenia in adoptees with schizophrenic mothers demonstrate?

Answer 18

This finding demonstrates the role of genetics in the development of schizophrenia, as the genetic link plays a significant part in the disorder’s onset.

Question 19

What are candidate genes in the context of schizophrenia?

Answer 19

Candidate genes are specific genes identified through modern research that are associated with schizophrenia.

Question 20

Which genes have been linked to schizophrenia?

Answer 20

The COMT, DISC1, and DRD2 genes have been linked to schizophrenia.

Question 21

What is the role of these genes in schizophrenia?

Answer 21

These genes are involved in dopamine regulation, a neurotransmitter heavily implicated in schizophrenia.

Question 22

What does the term polygenic mean in relation to schizophrenia?

Answer 22

Polygenic means that schizophrenia results from the combined effects of multiple genes.

Question 23

What does aetiologically heterogeneous mean in relation to schizophrenia?

Answer 23

Aetiologically heterogeneous means that different combinations of genes may trigger schizophrenia in different individuals.

Question 24

What is a key limitation of twin studies in schizophrenia research?

Answer 24

A key limitation is that MZ twins are often treated more similarly than DZ twins, which introduces an environmental confound.

Question 25

How does the similar treatment of MZ twins contribute to the development of schizophrenia?

Answer 25

MZ twins are more likely to experience identity confusion, dressed alike, encouraged to do the same activities, and share the same social circles, increasing exposure to shared environmental stressors.

Question 26

How might shared environmental influences affect MZ twin concordance rates?

Answer 26

Shared environmental influences could contribute to the development of schizophrenia in MZ twins, making the higher concordance rates not solely due to genetics.

Question 27

What does this limitation challenge about the genetic explanation of schizophrenia?

Answer 27

It challenges the idea that genetics alone can fully explain the differences in schizophrenia risk.

Question 28

How does the diathesis-stress model address this issue?

Answer 28

The diathesis-stress model emphasizes the importance of both genetic vulnerabilities (diathesis) and environmental triggers (stress) in the development of schizophrenia.

Question 29

What assumption is made in adoption studies regarding adoptees?

Answer 29

It is assumed that adoptees are placed randomly into adoptive families, regardless of their biological risk for schizophrenia.

Question 30

How has the assumption of random placement in adoption studies been challenged?

Answer 30

Research suggests that adoptees may be selectively placed into families, especially those with a background of mental illness.

Question 31

Why is selective placement a problem in adoption studies?

Answer 31

Selective placement introduces a confounding variable, as families adopting children with a higher risk for schizophrenia may be better equipped to provide stable environments, making it difficult to isolate genetic influences from environmental ones.

Question 32

What did Heston's study on schizophrenia in Oregon assume about adoption placements?

Answer 32

Heston's study assumed that children born to mothers with schizophrenia would be adopted into families similar to those without a mental illness background.

Question 33

How does selective adoption affect the reliability of adoption studies?

Answer 33

Selective adoption complicates the conclusions drawn from adoption studies because it is difficult to separate the effects of genetic influences from environmental factors.

Question 34

What is a major criticism of the genetic explanation for schizophrenia?

Answer 34

It is reductionist because it focuses only on biological factors, ignoring psychological and environmental influences.

Question 35

What treatment's success highlights the importance of cognitive factors in schizophrenia?

Answer 35

The success of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) highlights the importance of cognitive factors in treating schizophrenia.

Question 36

What has CBT been shown to reduce in individuals with schizophrenia?

Answer 36

CBT has been shown to reduce symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations.

Question 37

What does the success of CBT suggest about the causes of schizophrenia?

Answer 37

It suggests that distorted thinking patterns, which are cognitive factors, may contribute to schizophrenia, indicating that the disorder cannot be explained by genetics alone.

Question 38

Why is the genetic explanation for schizophrenia considered limited?

Answer 38

It is limited because schizophrenia is a complex disorder influenced by genetic, cognitive, and environmental factors, meaning it cannot be fully explained by genetics alone.

Question 39

What is one strength of a reductionist approach to the genetic explanation of schizophrenia?

Answer 39

A reductionist approach offers the benefit of identifying specific genes associated with schizophrenia, which can lead to targeted, personalized treatments.

Question 40

How have the findings from genetic research influenced treatment for schizophrenia?

Answer 40

Genetic research has influenced the development of antipsychotic medications that regulate dopamine levels, a key factor in schizophrenia.

Question 41

What is the role of dopamine regulation in schizophrenia treatment?

Answer 41

Dopamine regulation is important because certain candidate genes like COMT and DRD2 are involved in dopamine processes, and treatments target this to manage symptoms.

Question 42

What does the success of antipsychotic medications suggest about the genetic approach to schizophrenia?

Answer 42

The success of antipsychotic medications suggests that understanding the genetic basis of schizophrenia offers practical value by providing effective symptom management.

Question 43

How does the biological focus contribute to treatment for schizophrenia?

Answer 43

The biological focus contributes to treatment by providing targeted, personalized approaches that can be more effective for many individuals.

Question 44

What is a criticism of the genetic explanation for schizophrenia in terms of determinism?

Answer 44

The genetic explanation can be seen as deterministic, suggesting that individuals with a genetic predisposition are inevitably at risk of developing schizophrenia.

Question 45

What are the potential social implications of a deterministic view on schizophrenia?

Answer 45

A deterministic view may lead to discrimination against individuals with a genetic predisposition, such as in employment or insurance.

Question 46

How might genetic explanations of schizophrenia lead to unnecessary anxiety?

Answer 46

Individuals identified as genetically vulnerable may experience unnecessary anxiety, even if they never develop schizophrenia.

Question 47

What are the negative consequences of accepting a deterministic genetic explanation for schizophrenia?

Answer 47

Accepting a deterministic genetic explanation may result in discrimination and social stigma, as well as anxiety for those who are genetically vulnerable.

Question 48

Why is the genetic explanation for schizophrenia considered socially sensitive?

Answer 48

Because it can lead to discrimination and cause unnecessary anxiety in individuals identified as genetically at risk, even if they do not develop the disorder.