Structural Abnormallties Evaluation

Question 1

1 Strength…

Answer 1

Mccarley & Colleagues: enlarged ventricles is most reliable finding in research using brain scans. Link between atrophy and schz= confirmed.
H/O- abnormalties not always found, can question the reliability of the findings.

Question 2

1 Strength…

Answer 2

Studies of struct abnorm= scientific. Brain, CAT scans reliable methods of finding abnorm= empirical evidence.
Can be replicated, are credible and cannot be questioned.

Question 3

1 Weakness…

Answer 3

Cannot establish cause and effect
unsure if struc abnorm cause schz symptoms- possible that brain adapts to try and cope w/ schz symptoms, therefore may be a partial explanation as struc abnorm may just be the effect of the disorder.

Question 4

1 Weakness…

Answer 4

Research: Lyon et al- as antipsych med dosage inc, so did density of brain tissue. Possible that med causes struct abnorm. Due to HR- cannot test all individuals, ind studied after diagnosis, therefore cannot establish a cause and effect