Topic 2: Gottesman (Study)

Question 1

Aims

Answer 1

1. Investigate the likelihood of offspring being diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar or another disorder is one or both parents had been diagnosed with one of these disorders.

Question 2

Sample + how it was obtained

Answer 2

2.7 million Danish children
aged 10+

Names obtained from the Danish Civil Registration System and the Danish Psychiatric Central Register

Question 3

Procedure

Answer 3

1. using the civil registration the researchers were able to identify the parents of each child
2. each child and parent was checked to see if they were on the psychiatric register
3. specific diagnosis was identified
4. data on each offspring was linked with their parents’ psychiatric history so that the likelihood of a diagnosis of psychological disorder could be calculated

Question 4

Results: Incidence of developing schizophrenia by age 52

Answer 4

Both parents with schizophrenia = 27.3% chance of schizophrenia, 67.5% for any disorder

One parent with schizophrenia, one with no diagnosis = 7% chance of schizophrenia

One parent with schizophrenia, one with bipolar = 15.6% chance of schizophrenia

Neither parent with a diagnosis = 0.86% chance of schizophrenia

Question 5

Results: Incidence of developing bipolar disorder by age 52

Answer 5

Both parents with bipolar = 24.95% chance of bipolar, 44.2% chance of any disorder

one parent with bipolar, one parent with no diagnosis = 4.4% chance of bipolar

Question 6

How does the research illustrate the medical model?

Answer 6

It is a biological explanation (genetics)

increased risk of children being diagnosed with schizophrenia if one or both parents had been diagnosed

increased risk of any psychological disorder if parents have any psychological disorder - suggests that the same genes may underlie numerous mental illnesses

Question 7

Validity

Answer 7

+ Diagnoses was based on the ICD, which is deemed to be valid and is used by members of WHO

• Some diagnoses may be invalid since symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar often overlap

Question 8

Sampling Bias

Answer 8

+ Large, generalisable to Danish citizens

• only included people with hospital admissions for schizophrenia and bipolar - excluding those with less severe characteristics

Question 9

Ethnocentrism

Answer 9

• Provides an individualist explanation of psychological disorder whereas other cultures may focus on cultural and spiritual factors as a cause for mental illness

Question 10

Link to nature/nurture

Answer 10

Supports nature:
- suggests we are born with certain characteristics

Biochemical and brain abnormality explanations support nurture as they take into account the role of events that occur after birth such as brain trauma

Question 11

Link to free will/determinism

Answer 11

Determinism:
mental illness explained through genes which are beyond personal control

Question 12

Link to reductionism/holism

Answer 12

Reductionist:
Break down complex behaviour into the simplest form