BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA Flashcards
(19 cards)
What does the Dopamine Hypothesis of Schizophrenia propose?
It proposes that schizophrenia is caused by high levels of dopamine with an overactive dopamine system leading to more frequent transmission of signals and increased binding to dopamine receptors.
How does an increase in dopamine receptors affect the likelihood of developing schizophrenia?
More dopamine receptors in certain individuals’ brains increase the chances that dopamine will bind to these receptors, potentially causing schizophrenia.
What impact does brain dysfunction have on thoughts and behavior in individuals with schizophrenia?
Brain dysfunction can negatively affect cognitive functions such as logic, reasoning, problem solving, and judgment, leading to symptoms of schizophrenia.
What area of the brain is associated with cognitive functions and shows poor performance in people with schizophrenia?
The frontal lobe, which is responsible for logic, reasoning, and judgment, shows low levels of activity in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia.
What task is commonly used to assess frontal lobe activity in schizophrenia research?
The Wisconsin Card Sort Test (WCST) is used to measure frontal lobe function.
How does the hippocampus relate to schizophrenia according to research?
Studies have shown that patients with schizophrenia have reduced hippocampal volume, which can explain their cognitive functioning difficulties.
Which other brain region is associated with hallucinations in schizophrenia?
The temporal lobes are also found to be overactive in individuals with schizophrenia, contributing to hallucinations and disordered thinking.
What did Daniel et al. (1991) find regarding biological treatments and cognitive tasks?
They found that biological treatments, such as amphetamines, enhance the pre-frontal cortex’s ability during tasks like the Wisconsin Card Sort Test (WCST).
What is a criticism of the biological theory of schizophrenia?
The theory is criticised for focusing too much on biological abnormalities and neglecting the role of psychological factors, such as upbringing and life events, supporting the nurture argument.
What factors can negatively impact cognitive functions in schizophrenia?
Factors include overactive or under active brain areas, structural damage, or abnormal brain volume.
Why is the frontal lobe important in understanding schizophrenia?
It is responsible for critical cognitive functions like planning, problem-solving, and judgment, which are often impaired in individuals with schizophrenia.
What evidence supports the role of the frontal lobe in schizophrenia?
Brain scans during cognitive tasks, such as the Wisconsin Card Sort Test, show low activity in the frontal lobe of individuals with schizophrenia.
How do psychological factors relate to the biological theory of schizophrenia?
Psychological factors, such as upbringing and life events, are important but often overlooked in the biological explanation of schizophrenia.
What symptoms are associated with overactivity in the temporal lobes?
Overactivity in the temporal lobes is linked to hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking.
How does the biological theory explain the cognitive dysfunction seen in schizophrenia?
It suggests that brain abnormalities, such as reduced hippocampal volume and altered frontal lobe activity, lead to cognitive impairments.
What role does the dopamine system play in the symptoms of schizophrenia?
An overactive dopamine system results in excessive dopamine binding to receptors, which is thought to contribute to the symptoms of schizophrenia.
How might amphetamines affect cognitive performance in individuals with schizophrenia?
Amphetamines may enhance cognitive performance by increasing the activity of the pre-frontal cortex during tasks like the WCST.
In what way does the biological theory of schizophrenia align with the nature vs. nurture debate?
The theory emphasizes biological causes (nature) but is critiqued for not adequately considering environmental influences (nurture).
What might be a potential drawback of focusing solely on biological explanations for schizophrenia?
It may lead to neglecting the psychological and social factors that can contribute to the onset and progression of the disorder.
