Psychological Problems

• Dopamine Hypothesis of Schizophrenia


  Proposes that schizophrenia is caused by high levels of dopamine. The dopamine system is overactive, therefore dopaminergic neurons transmit signals more often than normal, which leads to high levels of dopamine binding to receptors
• When our brains are not functioning as they should this will have a negative impact on our thoughts and behaviour. The biological explanation proposes that brain dysfunction in a number of areas of the brain may have an impact
• Biological Theory of Schizophrenia


  The Dopamine Hypothesis proposes that schizophrenia is caused by high levels of dopamine. The dopamine system is overactive, leading to high levels of dopamine binding to receptors. There may also be more dopamine receptors than normal in certain people's brains.
• Brain dysfunction in schizophrenia


  • Brain being over or under active
  • Brain structures damaged
  • Brain volume abnormal
• Frontal lobe in schizophrenia


  • Responsible for logic, reasoning, problem solving, planning and judgement
  • People with schizophrenia have poor performance in these areas
  • Low levels of activity found in brain scans
• Hippocampus in schizophrenia


  • Patients have shown difficulties using and accessing memories
  • Reduced volume of this part of the brain
  • Abnormal levels of activity when experiencing auditory hallucinations
• Temporal lobes in schizophrenia


  • Overactive, leading to hallucinations, negative symptoms, and delusions
• Support for the biological theory of schizophrenia comes from Daniel et al. (1991) who found that biological treatments such as amphetamines enhance the ability of the pre-frontal cortex during a WCST task.
• The biological theory of schizophrenia can be criticised for focusing too much on the role of nature and ignoring the importance of psychological factors such as upbringing and life events.
• Social Drift Theory


  When someone is diagnosed with a mental illness, the label itself can lead to the condition worsening due to associated stigma and discrimination. This can result in a downward shift in social class and further social isolation, leading to a deterioration of mental health.
• The Social Drift Theory can be criticised as it doesn't actually provide an explanation for the cause of schizophrenia, it only explains the effect of being diagnosed with schizophrenia.
• Social Rank Theory of Clinical Depression


  When we lose status or rank, we can lose confidence in our ability to regain it. Depression allows us to accept a subordinate role, as the symptoms prevent further competition and signal to others that we are not fit to compete, reducing future conflict.
• Support for the Social Rank Theory comes from Tandoc et al. (2015) who found Facebook envy can be linked to symptoms of depression, as a response to the perception of being a lower rank/status to others on Facebook.
• The Social Rank Theory has been criticised for failing to consider the complex nature of depression and reducing the explanation to an outdated evolutionary view.
• ABC Model of Clinical Depression


  Depression is the result of an Activating event, which leads to irrational Beliefs, which then cause negative Consequences. Irrational beliefs include catastrophising, black and white thinking, and personalising.
• The ABC model can be criticised in relation to the freewill/determinism debate, as it suggests individuals are to blame for their own mental illness, although this thinking can be changed through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.