schizophrenia - bio: structural abnormalities

Question 1

determinist

Answer 1

P: it’s deterministic as it suggests that changes in brain structure, such as ventricular enlargement and cortical atrophy, are responsible for the development of the disorder.
E: supported by research such as Weinberger et al (1979), who found that patients with schizophrenia had significantly enlarged lateral and third ventricles compared to healthy controls
T: This deterministic perspective is beneficial because it provides a clear, biological cause for the disorder, which allows for more precise diagnostic tools and targeted medical interventions
COUNTER: could have a demoralizing effect on patients’ recovery if they Believe their SZ are solely determined by unchangeable brain abnormalities could lead to feelings of helplessness, which might undermine motivation to engage in recovery/treatment

Question 2

reductionist

Answer 2

P: reductionist as it simplifies the complex nature of schizophrenia by focusing on specific brain structure abnormalities. This makes the disorder easier to understand and diagnose.
E: For example, Vita et al (1988) used MRI scans to identify significant ventricular enlargement and reduced gray matter volume in patients with schizophrenia.
T: This reductionist approach allows clinicians to potentially diagnose schizophrenia based on measurable brain abnormalities, offering a more objective diagnostic criterion compared to relying solely on subjective symptom reporting.
COUNTER: This narrow focus risks providing an incomplete picture, leading to treatments that may not address the full complexity of the individual’s because it ignores social, cognitive and cultural factors

Question 3

scientific

Answer 3

P: The explanation relies on objective, measurable data from scanning techniques which provide precise, detailed images of brain structures
E: Vita et al (1988) used MRI scans to identify brain abnormalities such as cortical atrophy
T: This reliance on objective data ensures that the findings are reliable and valid which lends high credibility and accuracy to the explanation
COUNTER: cause and effect cannot be established through correlational findings alone. Without experimental evidence, we can’t determine whether the abnormalities found in the brain are the primary cause of schizophrenia or secondary consequences of living with the disorder, its treatments, or other environmental factors