schizophrenia- developmental psychology Flashcards
what is developmental psychology
studies the changes that occur as we age through the course of our life span and the mechanism underlying these changes
give 3 factors to brain abnormalities leading to schizophrenia
conception during a famine (Susser et al 1996)
flu in the second trimester (Wright et al 1999)
brain damage (compact hit)
when is schizophrenia most likely to develop
adolescent and adulthood
what factors can impact the dopamine hypothesis
genes from conception
prenatal factors (maternal illness)
drug usage
give 3 factors of schizophrenia developing based on neurotransmitters
low levels of Glutamate activity in the frontal lobe would presumably lead to lower basal release of dopamine in the Mesolimbic pathway, causing receptors to become super-sensitive
low levels of dopamine in mesocortical pathway cause negative symptoms
high levels of dopamine in mesolimbic pathway cause positive symptoms
dopamine and the prefrontal cortex in terms of later development
damage to the prefrontal cortex would be found out later as the prefrontal cortex doesn’t develop until later
dopamine levels peak in adolescent
give 3 evaluation points based on brain abnormaties
high- lots of research done on the brain (e.g. HM brain was cut into 2000 pieces to be examined)
high- scientific evidence (brain imaging and animal studies)
low- cannot compare a brain prior to the incident and after the incident so cannot establish a cause and effect
give 3 evaluation points based on neurotransmitters
high- scientific information (measured in a blood test) so high validity
low- not that much information on glutamate
low- doesn’t involve the social impacts
give 2 points based on genes and mental health
Rudin (1916) the rate of schizophrenia was higher in relatives of patients with schizophrenia than in the general population, a 2.6% increase if you have a second degree relative
Gottesman (1991) concordance rate of 48% in MZ twins for schizophrenia
