Psychological explanations

• What neurotransmitter is suggested to play a key role in the development of schizophrenia according to the dopamine hypothesis?

  Dopamine
• What criticism do researchers Moghaddam and Javitt (2012) have regarding the dopamine hypothesis?

  They believe it emphasizes the role of dopamine too much.
• Which antipsychotic is noted for acting on glutamate and serotonin, and is more effective than other atypical antipsychotics?

  Clozapine
• What is the main issue with using neural correlates to explain schizophrenia?

  Evidence is correlational and does not account for the 'third variable problem'.
• How does the 'third variable problem' affect the interpretation of the relationship between brain activation and auditory hallucinations?

  It suggests that a third unstudied factor could influence both outcomes.
• What are the psychological explanations for the development of schizophrenia?

  • Abnormal family communication styles
  • Schizophrenogenic mother
  • Mixed messages (double-bind theory)
  • High levels of expressed emotion
• Who suggested the concept of the schizophrenogenic mother?

  Fromm-Reichmann
• What characterizes the schizophrenogenic mother according to Fromm-Reichmann?

  She is cold and rejecting, creating a tense family climate.
• What does double-bind theory suggest about family communication?

  Children receive mixed messages from parents, leading to confusion.
• How does expressed emotion affect patients with schizophrenia?

  It can be a significant source of stress, leading to relapse.
• What are examples of high levels of negative expressed emotions?

  Verbal criticism, needless sacrifices, and hostility.
• What are dysfunctional thought processes according to Frith et al (1992)?

  Abnormally-functioning thought processes leading to undesirable outcomes.
• What is metarepresentation?

  The cognitive ability to differentiate between our own actions and those of others.
• How is metarepresentation related to auditory hallucinations?

  Dysfunctions in metarepresentation can lead to thought insertion and paranoid delusions.
• What is central control in cognitive processes?

  The ability to carry out deliberate actions while suppressing automatic responses.
• How is central control measured?

  Using the Stroop Test.
• What did Stirling et al (2006) find regarding central control in schizophrenia patients?

  They made significantly more mistakes and took longer to complete tasks compared to controls.
• What limitation do psychological explanations for schizophrenia have according to the text?

  They can explain symptoms but not the distal causes of schizophrenia.
• How do biological explanations differ from psychological explanations for schizophrenia?

  Biological explanations account for distal origins, while psychological explanations focus on proximal causes.
• What is a significant weakness of the concept of the schizophrenogenic mother?

  It is based on historical observations and lacks objective reliability.
• How do psychological explanations potentially affect families of schizophrenia patients?

  They may place blame on families for the patient's condition.
• What are the two types of antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia?

  • Typical antipsychotics (first generation)
  • Atypical antipsychotics (second generation)
• What is the mechanism of action for antipsychotics?

  They are dopamine antagonists that prevent dopamine from binding to receptors.
• What is the effect of typical antipsychotics on neurotransmission?

  They result in a lower rate of action potential generation in postsynaptic membranes.
• What is an example of a typical antipsychotic?

  Chlorpromazine
• Why were atypical antipsychotics developed?

  To enhance the effectiveness of first-generation medications and reduce side effects.
• How do atypical antipsychotics differ from typical antipsychotics in their action?

  Atypical antipsychotics target additional neurotransmitter receptors beyond dopamine.
• Which neurotransmitter receptors does Clozapine target?

  Serotonin and glutamate receptors
• Which neurotransmitter receptors does Risperidone act on?

  Dopamine and serotonin receptors