Biological Explanation For Schizophrenia: Genetics

Question 1

Gottesman

Answer 1

Reported that concordance rates amongst mz twins to be 48% compared to 17% amongst dz twins. As both twins have a shared environment, this suggests that the increase in genetic similarity amongst mz twins is taking place , which supports the genetic explanation of schizophrenia.

Question 2

However →

Answer 2

Concordance rates amongst amongst MZ twins is around 40-50%. As the rate is not 100%, this means there must be another factor other than genes.

Question 3

Reductionist

Answer 3

Does not consider the role of the environment

Question 4

Brown and Birley

Answer 4

Found that 50% of those with schizophrenia had a major life event in the three weeks prior to relapse ) suggesting he role of an environmental trigger of schizophrenia

Question 5

Alternative explanation

Answer 5

The dopamine hypothesis, which claims schizophrenia ls caused by high amounts of the neurotransmitter. It may be that certain genes have an influence on the brain’s reactions to dopamine ,the explanation is also reductionist as it fails to account for the role of the environment . It may be that environmental stressors trigger the disorder

Question 6

Knowing there is a genetic cause could aid diagnosis

Answer 6

It you have a genetic predisposition, then you are likely to seek early diagnosis which will lead to early treatment, helping functioning of those with the disorder and improving long-term outcomes