Gottesman & Shields - Explanations of Dysfunctional Behaviour

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To review studies on genetic transmission of schizophrenia.

Question 2

Studies reviewed

Answer 2

3 adoption studies

5 twin studies

Question 3

Participants

Answer 3

711 in adoption studies
210 monozygotic twin pairs
319 dizygotic twin pairs

Question 4

Procedure

Answer 4

Used children with schizophrenia collected from other studies.
Compared biological parents and siblings, adoptive parents and siblings in ADOPTION STUDIES.
Concordance rates for monozygotic and dizygotic twins was compared in TWIN STUDIES.

Concordance = how often both twins were diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Question 5

Findings ADOPTION

Answer 5

Higher incidence of schizophrenia in adopted children with biological schizophrenic parents than normal children fostered to schizophrenic parents of schizophrenia children in all 3 studies.
Biological siblings of children with schizophrenia showed higher % of schizophrenia 19.2%, than with adoptive siblings 6.3%.

Question 6

Findings TWIN

Answer 6

Higher concordance of schizophrenia in monozygotic 58% than dizygotic twins 12%.

Question 7

Conclusions

Answer 7

PROVIDES BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATION, GENETIC EXPLANATION

Genetic basis for schizophrenia was indicated by:

• the increased incidence in biological relations
• higher concordance rates between monozygotic twins.

Significant genetic input into onset of schizophrenia.

Concordance rate less than 100%, some interaction with the environment must be involved.

Confusion if one or many genes is responsible for predisposing a person to schizophrenia.

Genetics do cause schizophrenia however its is not the sole cause.

Question 8

Kety Findings

Answer 8

Biological siblings of children with schizophrenia showed a much higher percentage of schizophrenia.

Question 9

Interactionism

Answer 9

Many mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, may have a genetic predisposition - those with an inherited susceptibility may be more likely to develop the disorder if they experience certain stressful environmental conditions. This may explain why these is not 100% concordance of monozygotic twins.

Question 10

Point 1

Answer 10

Higher incidence of schizophrenia in adopted children with biological schizophrenic parents than normal children fostered to schizophrenic parents of schizophrenia children in all 3 studies. = Significant genetic input into onset of schizophrenia. PROVIDES BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATION, GENETIC EXPLANATION.

Question 11

Point 2

Answer 11

Biological siblings of children with schizophrenia showed higher % of schizophrenia 19.2%, than with adoptive siblings 6.3%. = Supports the biological explanation that there is a a significant genetic input into the outset of schizophrenia.

Although 6.3% indicates that there must be another influence which is not biological due to no genetic link between adoptive siblings. For instance an environmental influence such as negative parental relationship, family troubles and upbringing. HOWEVER could be due to sampling mistake or diagnosing schizophrenic tendencies as a dysfunctional behaviour (schizophrenia), therefore could have been behavioural symptoms rather than biological cause. This suggests some level of environmental influence.

Question 12

Biological approach

Answer 12

Focuses on the functions and structures of the nervous system including chemical balance, genetics and brain functioning.
Dysfunctional behaviour could be attributed to any of these.

Question 13

Point 3

Answer 13

As there is a biological transmission there is also brain functioning and chemical balance explanation which is a biological explanation.

Question 14

Point 4

Answer 14

Higher concordance of schizophrenia in monozygotic 58% than dizygotic twins 12% shows a clear genetic basis for schizophrenia as monozygotic have identical genes where as dizygotic are fraternal.

Question 15

Reductionist

Answer 15

1: Biological approach reductionist as simplifies down to the genetic level, genetic explanations are too simplistic as reduces complex conditions to a small number of genes.

2: G&S use incidence of schizophrenia to show genetic input on the onset of schizophrenia. As this scientific diagnosis was used it shows influence of biological explanation on dysfunctional behaviour and simplifies it to a root cause of schizophrenia.
3: Must also look at interaction of genes and environment, therefore the whole may be greater than the some of its parts.
4: May also need to consider that one or many genes is responsible for predisposing a person to schizophrenia.
6: 6.3% Indicates that it could have been due to behavioural symptoms rather than biological cause. Therefore not as simple as the biological explanation.

Question 16

Scientific

Answer 16

Explains biological phenomena in terms of underlying physical basis (schizophrenia had increased incidence in biological siblings compared to adoptive siblings) shows reductionist psychology can gain SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT AND CREDIBILITY, and unifies the biological explanation to provide a consistent picture of the universe.

Question 17

Holism

Answer 17

Oversimplification of reductionist explanation, even though high concordance MZ 58% to DZ 12% there is not 100% concordance therefore cannot be based to one simple cause. Indicates important interactions have been ignored eg. the environment and there is a chance the whole may be greater than the sum of its parts.

Question 18

Determinism/Free-will

Answer 18

Offers the sufferer no hope of controlling the condition as we cannot consciously control the activity of our genes, therefore deterministic

Question 19

Reductionism general

Answer 19

Importance of reductionism is being able to specify certain aspects of behaviour, although reductionism is too focused if you stop at the biological level, therefore questions the truthfulness of simplicity.

Question 20

Usefulness

Answer 20

• Helps determine genetic cause of disorders, therefore useful for treatment.
• Debates