biological explanations

• What is the biological approach to understanding psychological processes?

  Understand biological structures in the body
• What is the significance of neurochemicals in mental illness?

  Imbalance may cause mental illness
• What do genotype and phenotype refer to?

  Genotype is genetic makeup; phenotype is expression
• What research methods are used to analyze concordance rates?

  Twin studies, adoption studies, family studies
• What is the real-world application of the biological approach?

  Drug therapies targeting neurotransmitters
• What is a strength of the biological approach?

  Uses scientific methodology for reliable data
• What is a weakness of the biological approach?

  Ignores free will and personal choice
• What does the statement "schizophrenia runs in families" imply?

  It suggests a genetic basis for schizophrenia
• Why are identical twins preferred in genetic studies of schizophrenia?

  They share 100% of their DNA
• What is the concordance rate?

  Degree of similarity for a specific trait
• What did Gottesman (1991) study focus on?

  Concordance rates in family studies
• What does a high concordance rate between identical twins suggest?

  Genetic factors play a significant role
• What is a limitation of twin studies in schizophrenia research?

  Environmental factors may confound results
• What did Tienari et al. (2004) find in their adoption study?

  Biological children of schizophrenic parents at risk
• What is the concordance rate found by Tienari et al. (2004)?

  7% for biological children of schizophrenics
• What is the implication of candidate genes in schizophrenia?

  They confer a small increased risk
• What does polygenic mean in the context of schizophrenia?

  Multiple genes contribute to the disorder
• What did Ripke et al. (2014) study reveal?

  108 genetic variations linked to schizophrenia
• How can mutations lead to schizophrenia without family history?

  Due to environmental factors affecting DNA
• What are some biological factors that increase schizophrenia risk?

  Birth complications and cannabis use
• What psychological risk factor is linked to schizophrenia?

  Childhood trauma increases vulnerability
• What percentage of people with schizophrenia report childhood trauma?

  67%
• What are the key components of the genetic explanation of schizophrenia?

  • Family studies show genetic links
  • Candidate genes indicate polygenic nature
  • Role of mutations in absence of family history
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the biological explanation of schizophrenia?

  Strengths:

  • Scientific methodology provides reliable data
  • Real-world applications in drug therapies

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Ignores free will and personal choice
  • Reductionist approach may oversimplify complex issues
• How can one summarize the findings of Gottesman (1991) regarding schizophrenia?

  • High concordance rates in twins
  • Genetic factors significantly influence risk
  • Environmental factors also play a role
• What are the two main categories of environmental factors affecting mental health?

  Biological and physiological factors
• How does cannabis use in teenage years affect mental health?

  It can increase vulnerability to mental health issues
• What psychological factor can make individuals more vulnerable to mental health problems?

  Childhood trauma
• What percentage of people with schizophrenia-related disorders experienced childhood trauma according to one study?

  67%
• How does the risk of schizophrenia relate to genetic similarity?

  Risk increases with genetic similarity to affected family members
• What did Gottesman's family studies show about schizophrenia risk?

  Risk increases with genetic similarity
• What did Renne's adoption studies reveal about children of parents with schizophrenia?

  They have heightened risk even in adoptive families
• What was the concordance rate for MZ twins in Rinne Wicker's study?

  35%
• What was the concordance rate for DZ twins in Rinne Wicker's study?

  10%
• What does a higher concordance rate in MZ twins suggest about schizophrenia?

  Some people are genetically more vulnerable
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of genetic explanations for schizophrenia?

  Strengths:

  • Strong evidence base
  • Family and adoption studies support it

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Cannot fully explain schizophrenia alone
  • Environmental factors also play a significant role
• Why can't genetic factors alone provide a complete explanation for schizophrenia?

  Because environmental factors also significantly influence it
• What is the relationship between childhood trauma and schizophrenia?

  Childhood trauma increases vulnerability to schizophrenia
• What is the significance of the matched group in the study comparing schizophrenia and non-psychotic disorders?

  It helps to highlight differences in trauma experiences
• How do biological and psychological factors interact in the context of schizophrenia?

  Both contribute to the risk of developing schizophrenia