LS2 - Genetic Explanations Of Schizophrenia

Question 1

Biological Explanations

Answer 1

Biological explanations of SZ are based on 2 factors: The Genetic Basis and Neural Correlates.

Question 2

Family Studies

Answer 2

Family studies have shown the closer the genetic relatedness, the greater the risk of receiving SZ.

Question 3

Gottesman Family Study

Answer 3

Both Parents SZ - 46%
One Parent SZ - 13%
Sibling SZ - 9%
No Relatedness - 1%

Question 4

Twin Studies

Answer 4

Allows psychologists to study the contribution of heredity and environmental influences on having SZ.

Question 5

Gottesman Twin Study

Answer 5

MZ Twins Concordance Rate - 48%
DZ Twins Concordance Rate - 17%

Question 6

Adoption Studies

Answer 6

To understand the influence of nature and nurture, best way to separate genetic influences from environmental influences.

Question 7

Candidate Genes

Answer 7

Suggests that there are specific genes that are associated with having SZ, however SZ is polygenic meaning multiple genes contribute towards it.

Question 8

Ripke Et Al Candidate Genes

Answer 8

Found 108 separate genetic variations were associated with an increased risk of SZ, and it was mainly those genes that affected certain neurotransmitters e.g. dopamine.

Question 9

Genetic Basis (+)

Answer 9

Research Support
Diathesis Stress Model

Question 10

Genetic Basis (-)

Answer 10

Absence Of Family History
Difficult To Separate Nature From Nurture

Question 11

Research Support (+)

Answer 11

There is bare research evidence to support genetic basis for SZ showing a link between genes and SZ.

Question 12

Diathesis Stress Model (+)

Answer 12

This supports that there is a genetic basis to SZ, however, the gene needs to be triggered by something in the environment.

Question 13

Absence Of Family History (-)

Answer 13

Mutation in parental DNA can cause SZ meaning genetic basis doesn’t always have an impact.