Schizophrenia: Genetic explanation (Biological) Flashcards
What does the genetic hypothesis state
That if you have a relative thats genetically close to you who has schizophrenia, you are more likely to develop the disorder
What was the probability of developing schizophrenia depending on which family relative has schizophrenia
1 parent = 10%
1 MZ twin = 50%
1DZ twin = 20%
How can gene mutations lead to schizophrenia
DNA code for a specific disorder may change due to mutation (mutation can accour from environmental factors or errors in cell division)
Give an example of this
People with DiGeorge syndrome, caused by error in cell division, are 25% more likely to go on to develop schizophrenia.
What is a model created to explain genes role in schizophrenia
Diathesis-stress model
What did the Diathesis stress model state?
Genes create vulnerability for schizophrenia rather than causing it. You may posses schizophrenia genes, but condition is only triggered by biological change or an environmental factor
Give an example of a biological change that can lead to a trigger of schizophrenia
The use of cannabis can put users at a 7 time more likely hood of developing schizophrenia. As cannabis interfeers with the dopamine system.
EVALUATION
EVALUATION
What is a strength of the genetic explantion for schizophrenia
It’s supported by research conducted by Gottesman (1991)
What did Gottesman aim to see
Analysed concordence rates for people of different genetic simillarity
What did Gottesman (1991) find
That as gentic similarity increased, the probability of developing schizophrenia also increased
Give some examples of the results Gottesman found
DZ twins - 17% developing schizphrenia
MZ twins - 48% chance of developing schizophrenia
What do these results tell us
That biology plays a significant role in the development of schizophrenia
What is a competing arguement for the research conducted by Gottesman (1991)
Caution should be exercised when interprating results from MZ/DZ twin studies
Why should caution be exercised?
They share similar DNA, they also more likely to be treated similarly due to same appearance.
In addition, not only do they share the same DNA but they also share the same environment which reduces validity of the concordence rates of MZ twin studies.
