genetic explanation

• twin study case study findings

  Gottesman performed a meta analysis on 40 family studies and collected data for concordance rates for people related to schizophrenics

  • MZ twins- 48%
  • DZ twins- 17%
  • siblings 9%

  this study supports as it shows the closer you are related to someone, the more likely you are to be schizophrenic
• twin study conclusion Gottesman

  • the data shows that genes are not the only factor. if they were, MZ twins would have an 100% concordance rate because they share 100% genes.
  • although siblings and DZ twins both have 50% of genetics, siblings have a lower concordance rate. (17 compared to 9). this can be due to environmental factors, as DZ twins are more likely to share similar environments
• evaluation of genetic explanations

  • no single gene has been identified to be the cause of schizophrenia, but rather a number of genes have been found to increase the vulnerability of schizophrenia

  _it is highly unlikely that there is a straightforward relationship between genes and schizophrenia. there must be other factors involved.