the medical model Flashcards
the biochemical explanation for mental illness
imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain
biochemical explanation for phobias
low levels of serotonin and dopamine
biochemical explanation of depression
low levels of serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine
biochemical explanation of schizophrenia
high levels of dopamine
Lazenberger
A: to investigate a serotonin receptor’s binding potential in social phobia
pps: 12 males with social phobia and 18 controls
R: lower binding potential of serotonin receptors of social phobias in the amygdala
strengths of the biochemical explanation
+falsifiable, we can measure neurotransmitters using PET scans
+evidence to support, Lazenberger
+useful, medications which is inexpensive compared to therapy
weaknesses of the biochemical explanation
-conflicting evidence, Lazenberger and Flick had two different conclusions regarding social phobia
-cant establish cause + effect, don’t know if an imbalance of neurotransmitters causes mental illness or the other way round
-reductionist, suggests that mental illness is down to biology only ignoring environmental factors
drug treatment of anxiety and depression
to increase serotonin levels, MAOI inhibits enzymes which break down serotonin, so there will be an increase in the binding potential. this reduces the symptoms of anxiety/depression
e.g. Leibowitz
A: to see if the drug Phenelzine can treat patients with social phobia
lab experiment with 80 pps.
those treated with phenelzine had better scores on social phobia tests than the placebo group
outline how ECT works
electric shocks are administered to the head inducing a seizure lasting for 15-60 seconds. a course of treatment lasts for 2-3 weeks.
ECT works as the electrical current changes the activity of neurotransmitters.
some research suggests as it increases the blood flow to certain areas of the brain.
evaluation of drug treatment
+ many variations of antidepressants depending on the severity of the mental illness
+ evidence provided, showing the effectiveness of drug treatment
- reductionist, only targets the biochemical idea of mental illness
- some drugs cant be given to everyone due to certain risks e.g. patients high risk of suicide or pregnant women
What is the genetic explanation of mental illness
Genes pre-dispose an individual to a mental illness inherited from parents.
the more genetically similar individuals are, the higher concordance rate they should have regarding mental illness
Gottesman - aim
To conduct a large scale study into the inheritance of sever mental illness ( schizophrenia, bipolar and uni-polar) to establish if there is a genetic component to mental health.
Gottesman - M,S,Pr
Cohort study/statistical analysis
2.6 million families in Denmark from the civil registration system
categorised into 4 groups:
both parents with bipolar or schizophrenia
One parent with bipolar or schizophrenia
neither parent with bipolar or schizophrenia
The general population
Gottesman - results
27% diagnosed with schizophrenia when both parents had schizophrenia
7% diagnosed with schizophrenia when one parent has schizophrenia
0.9% diagnosed with schizophrenia when neither had schizophrenia
31.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia when both parents are also diagnosed
3.9% more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia when one parent is also diagnosed
Gottesman - conclusions
there is a strong genetic link for mental illness but, we can not rule out the impact of the environment
strengths of gottesman
high concurrent validity, diagnoses made from the DSM and ICD
+ large sample size, 2.7 million families - can generalise to the public
+useful, can advice people on the risks associated with children, advising adoption or genetic counselling
weaknesses of Gottesman
- lacks construct validity, only looks at 3 mental disorders
- ethnocentric, sample only from Denmark, cant generalise
-unethical, causes discrimination against parents who both have a mental illness
brain abnormality explanation for mental illness
over/under activity in a particular region of the brain or a difference in structure causes mental illness
brain abnormality explanation for anxiety
people with anxiety are found to have an over active amygdala when shown emotional stimuli. the amygdala is in invloved in responding to emotional stimuli
pines research
pine compared amygdala research responses in those with social phobia and those who were healthy using an fMRI. those with social phobias had a greater amygdala activity in response to fearful stimuli than those who were healthy.
strengths of the brain abnormality explanation for mental illness
+ falsifiable, we can see brain structure through fMRI scanning
+evidence to back up, pine
+high internal reliability, uses standardised equipment to measure brain activity
weaknesses of the brain abnormality explanation for mental illness
-deterministic, doesn’t account for our free will, suggesting we cant get over phobias or disorders ourselves
- lacks internal validity, cant establish cause and effect, the disorder may cause the brain abnormality or vice versa.
