Nature Vs Nurture Debates (schizophrenia)

Question 1

Owen et al

Answer 1

post-mortem examinations on the brains of schizophrenics showed that schizophrenics have a higher density of dopamine receptors in certain parts of the brain (cerebral cortex) than do patients not suffering from schizophrenia, suggesting that they are more sensitive to the action of dopamine than people who have not had schizophrenia, suggesting specific form of the D2 gene was taking place ( Seeman)

Question 2

Munkvad and Randrup (1966)

Answer 2

Giving rats amphetamines (raising dopamine levels) results in behaviours that reflect symptoms of schizophrenia

Question 3

Lieberman et el 1987

Answer 3

75% of patients with schizophrenia show new symptoms or more psychosis after amphetamines (raising dopamine levels)

Question 4

Alpert and Friedhoff

Answer 4

Some patients do not improve after being given dopamine antagonist drugs. Drugs that block dopamine live receptors work on the brain immediately, but have a delayed effect on reduction of schizophrenia symptoms.

Question 5

Gottesman

Answer 5

Showed concordance rates of 48% amongst MZ twins (100% shared genes) compared to 17% amongst DZ twins (50% shared genes). However, twin studies such as Gottesman don’t reveal 100% concordance rates amongst mz twins (48%), despite 100% shared genes. This might mean that there might be non-biological cause or nature and nurture might work together (deathesis stress modeI ). For example , the traumatic event from environment might trigger specific C4 gene in people genetically predisposed to schizophrenia to develop it. Sekar et al analysed 100000 DNA samples from participants across 30 countries. Those with a particular form of the cu gene showed a higher risk of developing schizophrenia.

Question 6

Biological cause

Answer 6

It is suggested, that people’s social class is very important to take into consideration when diagnosing schizophrenia.it is supported by study conducted by mortensen in Denmark, which showed that those born in the capital are twice as likely to develop schizophrenia compared to those born in rural areas. However, as
This study took place in Denmark, it is not generalisable to other cultures. Likewise, there may be a diagnosis issue - individuals without jobs or in lower status jobs are more likely to seek diagnosis individuals In lower class groups are identified by the police and social services . Middle class individuals might not want to seek diagnosis due to fear of being labelled