LS2 - Neural Explanations Of Schizophrenia

Question 1

Neural Correlates

Answer 1

Measurements of the structure OR functions of the brain that have a relationship with SZ especially different regions of the brain. It also refers to different levels of neurotransmitters.

Question 2

Neural Correlates Strengths

Answer 2

Research Evidence
Brain Scanning Techniques

Question 3

Neural Correlates Weaknesses

Answer 3

Individual Differences
Difficult To Pinpoint

Question 4

Research Evidence (+)

Answer 4

Research supports the structural changes in the brain between SZ and non SZ e.g. Torrey’s study with reference to enlarged brain ventricles and Conrad’s study with regards to the hippocampus.

Question 5

Brain Scanning Techniques (+)

Answer 5

Brain scans is an objective method to provide face validity to neural correlates explanations. This helps tailor treatments to patients.

Question 6

Individual Differencse (-)

Answer 6

There are individual differences in sufferers of schizophrenia and not all patients have deficits in the functioning of different brain regions.

Question 7

Difficult To Pinpoint (-)

Answer 7

It can be difficult to pinpoint which brain region is causing the symptoms. It may also be difficult to establish cause and effect in terms of neuroanatomy.

Question 8

Dopamine

Answer 8

A chemical that ferries information between neurones, it helps regulate movement, attention, learning and emotional responses. It also enables to see rewards and take actions towards the,.

Question 9

The Dopamine Hypothesis

Answer 9

Claims that an excess of dopamine in certain regions is associated with the positive symptoms of SZ. Therefore, messages from neurone that transmit dopamine fire too easily and often leading to hallucinations and delusions.

Question 10

Consequences Of The Dopamine Hypothesis

Answer 10

Hyperdopaminergia In The Subcortex
Hypodopaminergia In The Cortex

Question 11

Hyperdopaminergia In The Subcortex

Answer 11

States that there are high levels of activity of dopamine in the subcortex which is the central areas of the brain. E.g. dopamine in the Broca’s area may be associated with problems in speech/auditory hallucinations.

Question 12

Hyperdopaminergia In The Cortex

Answer 12

Lower levels of dopamine in the cortex, and how this links to negative symptoms of SZ.

Question 13

Neural Explanations Strengths

Answer 13

Drug Research
Antipsychotic Research

Question 14

Neural Explanations Weaknesses

Answer 14

Dopamine Hypothesis Can’t Act Alone
Correlation Causation Issue

Question 15

Drug Research (+)

Answer 15

Dopamine agonists tend to increase dopamine levels and make the SZ sypomtoms worse in sufferers and can produce SZ-like symptoms in non-sufferers.

Question 16

Antipsychotic Research (+)

Answer 16

Act Antipsychotic drugs reduce dopamine in SZ patients helping control the symptoms which supports that SZ is caused by high levels of dopamine.

Question 17

Dopamine Can’t Act Alone (-)

Answer 17

There are other biological/psychological factors that contribute e.g. family dysfunction and recent research has pointed at different neurotransmitters.