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RB 13E3 > Schizophrenia: Biological Explanations of Schizophrenia - 24/25 UPDATED > Flashcards

Schizophrenia: Biological Explanations of Schizophrenia - 24/25 UPDATED Flashcards

1
Q

What does the biological explanation assume about SZ?

A

That SZ is hereditary and passed on from one generation to the next through genes.

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2
Q

What are our genes?

A

genetic material that make up who we are

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3
Q

What is meant by genetic predisposition?

A

based on our genetic material, the likelihood of developing a disorder (natural risk to developing a disorder)

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4
Q

What is the term used to describe the likelihood of developing a disorder from our genes?

A

genetic predisposition

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5
Q

If we have a genetic disposition to Sz what does that mean?

A

We have the genetic material that may make us more likely to develop SZ.

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6
Q

What kind of genes may someone with SZ develop/inherit?

A

Several maladaptive candidate genes such as PCM1 (polygenic).

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7
Q

Sz is polygenic meaning that there are multiple genes involved in the development of Sz, What do we call these genes

A

Maladaptive Candidate genes

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8
Q

give an example of a maladaptive candidate gene involved in Sz

A

PCM1

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9
Q

If Sz is polygenic, what does that mean for an individuals vulnerability?

A

it increases an individuals vulnerability to developing the disorder.

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10
Q

What have studies shown about the genetic variations for Sz?

A

there are 108 separate genetic variations

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11
Q

What is meant by a concordance rate?

A

The probability of developing a disorder if the other person has it (likelihood of sharing a characteristic).

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12
Q

What was the concordance rate found by Gottesman in MZ and DZ twins?

A

Mz: 48%
Dz: 17%

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13
Q

What does the differences between the Mz and DZ concordance rate show us about the genetic link in SZ?

A

Closer the genetic link, the higher the probability of developing SZ.

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14
Q

What is meant by an MZ twin?

A

monozygotic: they share 100% of their genetic information (identical twins)

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15
Q

What is meant by an DZ twin?

A

Dizygotic: they share 50% of their genetic information (non-identical twins)

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16
Q

Research to support the role of genetics in the development of SZ comes from Tierney. What did he study?

A

155 adopted children who had biological mothers with SZ

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17
Q

Research to support the role of genetics in the development of SZ comes from Tierney. What was found?

A

He found that those with a biological mother with SZ has a concordance rate of 10% compared to 1% in adopted children without SZ parents.

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18
Q

Why does Tierney’s research provide support for the role of genetics in SZ?

A

It provides support for the role of genetics as the role of Social Learning Theory (observing and imitating the behaviours of a schizophrenic parent) could not have been a factor as the children were adopted.

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19
Q

What is meant by neural correlates?

A

Abnormalities in the structure and function of the brain

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20
Q

What are abnormalities in structure and brain function also refered to as?

A

neural correlates

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21
Q

Neural correlates as a biological explanation of SZ can be split into two subsections - which are?

A

Brain structure (anatomy) and Dopamine hypothesis (neurochemical).

22
Q

How are neural correlates identified?

A

through brain scans such as fMRI’s

23
Q

What brain abnormalities were shown in those with SZ?

A

Enlarged ventricles

24
Q

What is an enlarged ventricle?

A

fluid filled spaces in your brain

25
Q

In a meta analysis by Raz and Raz, What did they find in individuals with SZ in their brain

A

those with SZ had enlarged ventricles compared to the control group

26
Q

How are enlarged ventricles associated with SZ?

A

they are associated with damage to central brain areas and the pre frontal cortex

27
Q

Enlarged ventricles are associated with damage to central areas such as the pre-frontal cortex. This impacts Broca’s area. What is Broca’s area responsible for and what symptoms may arise if damaged?

A

Broca’s area is responsible for speech production. If damaged due to SZ - may lead to speech poverty (nonsense speech).

28
Q

Enlarged ventricles are damaging the central areas of the brain and the pre frontal cortex. What is the function of the pre-frontal cortex, and if damaged due to SZ, what symptoms may be shown?

A

Function of the pre-frontal cortex is to make rational and logical decisions. If damaged due to SZ, may lead to avolition.

29
Q

Research to support the role of neural correlates was conducted by Suddath et al (1990). What did he do?

A

He used MRI scans to investigate the brain structure of MZ twins in which one twin was schizophrenic.

30
Q

Suddath et al use MRI scans to investigate the brain structure of MZ twins in which one twin was Schizophrenic. What did they find?

A

They found that the schizophrenic twin generally had more enlarged ventricles.

31
Q

What is the dopamine hypothesis?

A

The idea that neurotransmitters work differently in those with SZ, in particular dopamine activity levels.

32
Q

What is a neurotransmitter?

A

a chemical messenger in the brain

33
Q

How is dopamine involved in SZ?

A

either too much/too little dopamine activity in the brain

34
Q

What are the receptors in the brain called that process dopamine?

A

D2 receptors

35
Q

D2 receptors process what neurotransmitter?

A

Dopamine

36
Q

What is meant by HYPERdopaminergia?

A

increase in dopamine activity in central areas of the brain such as Broca’s area.

37
Q

What is meant by HYPOdopaminergia?

A

Low dopamine activity in the prefrontal cortex.

38
Q

What is the term for increased dopamine activity

A

Hyperdopaminergia

39
Q

What is the term for decreased dopamine activity

A

Hypodopaminergia

40
Q

What happens when there is increased dopamine activity in the subcortex of the brain?

A

High dopamine activity in central areas such as Broca’s is associated with auditory hallucinations

41
Q

Explain auditory halluncinations using the dopamine hypothesis

A

High dopamine activity in central areas of the brain such as Broca’s areas

42
Q

What happens when there is decreased dopamine activity in the cortex?

A

low dopamine activity in the prefrontal cortex is associated with avolition

43
Q

Explain avolition using the dopamine hypothesis

A

low dopamine activity in the prefrontal cortex is associated with avolition

44
Q

What is the term for high dopamine activity in the subcortex?

A

Subcortical hyperdopaminergia

45
Q

What is the term for low dopamine activity in the cortex

A

Cortical hypodopaminergia

46
Q

A/A* Stretch - How can the dopamine hypothesis explain the combination of positive and negative symptoms in Schizophrenics?

A

It has been suggested that cortical hypodopamingeria leads to subcortical hyperdopamingeria, showing both high and low activity levels of dopamine in different brain areas at the same time - which explains the combination of positive and negative symptoms.

47
Q

AO3: The biological explanation for Schizophrenia can be praised for using scientific methods - explain why.

A

The theory is based on objective and empirical techniques such as gene mapping and brain scans such as fMRI’s used to identify specific genes (PCM1) or areas of the brain linked to SZ (enlarged ventricles).

48
Q

AO3: The biological approach for SZ is praised for using scientific methods. Why is using scientific methods important in psychological research?

A

It increases the internal validity of the biological explanation of SZ and raises psychology’s scientific status.

49
Q

AO3: Why can the biological explanation of SZ be criticised for biological determinism? Refer to dopamine hypothesis.

A

This is because the theory states that an individual is controlled by internal factors such as high dopamine activity (hyperdopamingeria) in the subcortex which inevitably causes auditory hallucinations. This neglects the role of free will.

50
Q

AO3: What are the practical applications that have been developed from the biological explanation of SZ - how do they work?

A

Drug therapy such as typical and atypical antipsychotics - works by balancing the levels of dopamine activity in the patients brain and therefore reducing symptoms of SZ.

51
Q
A

RB 13E3 (12 decks)

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