Paper 3 Schizophrenia

Question 1

Describe positive symptoms of SZ and give an example

Answer 1

Symptoms that add something to your life
EG- hallucinations

Question 2

Describe negative symptoms of SZ and give an example

Answer 2

Symptoms that reduce your normal function
EG avolition-lack of motivation

Question 3

Outline what alogia is

Answer 3

Speech poverty, it becomes hard to form sentences.

Question 4

Outline the DSM-5 as a manual for sz diagnosis

Answer 4

It is a manual for classifying schizo that requires patients to have 1 positive symptom

Question 5

Outline a study that suggests patients are much more likely to be diagnosed using the ICD compared to the DSM

Answer 5

Cheniaux et al- suggests that ICD either diagnoses too many patients or the DSM diagnoses too little.

Question 6

Outline the ICD as a system for SZ diagosis

Answer 6

The ICD (International Classification of Disease) requires two negative symptoms for diagnosis

Question 7

What factors affect validity of diagnosis

Answer 7

Gender
Symptom overlap
Comorbidity

Question 8

Outline How gender bias affect the validity of diagnosis, include a study in your answer

Answer 8

Broverman et al
Found US clinicians equated mentally healthy behaviour with male mental health

Question 9

Outline and explain how symptom overlap affects the validity of SZ diagnosis

Answer 9

The symptoms of one disorder may overlap with those of schizophrenia
EG under the ICD they may be SZ but on the DSM they may be bipolar

Question 10

Outline and explain comorbidity affecting the validity of SZ diagnosis, use a study to support your answer

Answer 10

It confuses diagnosis, making treatment hard

Question 11

Outline the genetic explanation for SZ

Answer 11

The more genetically similar you are to someone with SZ, the more liekly you are to have SZ

Question 12

Outline one study to support the genetic explanation for SZ

Answer 12

Gottesmann and Shield-
Kids who had two SZ parents had a 46% concordance rate
COMPARED TO 13% with one parent

Question 13

What concordance rate for SZ between MZ twins was found by GOTTESMANN AND SHIELD

Answer 13

48% compared to 17% with DZ

Question 14

Outline one study that looks into adoption and biological similarities

Answer 14

TIENARI-
In Finland and found 11/164 adoptees who had biological mothers with sz to also have SZ
COMPARED TO 4/197 IN THE CONTROL GROUP(NON SZ MOTHERS)

Question 15

What is one problem with GOTTESMAN and SHIELDS study

Answer 15

because the conc is 48% we cannot assume that genes are the only reason for developing SZ

Question 16

Evaluate one positive of the genetic explanation to SZ

Answer 16

It provides a back bone to diagnosis

Question 17

Name one piece of confounding research to the genetic explanationf fo SZ

Answer 17

Loehlin and Nichols-
aruge that identical twins are treated more similarly compared to non identical which means SZ may be environmental

Question 18

What model may offer a more appropriate explanation for SZ

Answer 18

Diathesis

Question 19

Outline the dopamine hypothesis for SZ

Answer 19

It states that-
-dopamine is fired too often/ easily causing SZ symptoms

Question 20

What may happen if dopamine levels arent rught

Answer 20

it may lead to hallucinations

Question 21

Explain how too much dopamine leads to positive SZ symptoms

Question 22

Why are SZs thought to have abnormally high levels of D2 receptors

Answer 22

SZs are thought to have more D2 receptors on recieving neurones resulting in more dopamine binding leading to more firing

Question 23

Give a piece of evidence to support the dopamine hypothesis for SZ

Answer 23

Amphetamines-stimulate nerve cells containing dopamine causing flooding-large doses can cause hallucinations and delusions

Question 24

How do antipsychotics back up the dopamine hypothesis for SZ

Answer 24

They work as ANTAGONISTS by reducing stimulation on the dopamine system, eliminating SZ symptoms

Question 25

Outline Seeman’s research into the dopamine hypothesis for SZ

Answer 25

found that SZs had increased dopamine in areas of the brain through POST MORTEMS

Question 26

Evaluate Seeman’s research into the dopamine hypothesis for SZ

Answer 26

It has high spatial validity
Low temporal resolution

Question 27

How can L-Dopa be used to support the dopamine hypothesis for SZ

Answer 27

It works on Parkinson’s by increasing dopamine, in turn it produces symptoms of SZ