Genetic theory

• > The genetic explanation states that schizophrenia is hereditary and passed on from one generation through genes

  > Therefore a person is born with a genetic predisposition

  > It is believed that several maladaptive candidate genes such as PCM1 are involved (polygenic) which increases an individuals vulnerability to developing schizophrenia

  > Studies have shown that 108 separate genetic variations are associated with the risk of developing schizophrenia
• > Gottesman

  > Studied 40 twins and found that the concordance rate for monozygotic twins (MZ) was 48 % and only 17 % for dizygotic twins (DZ)

  > Therefore, the closer the genetic link to somebody with schizophrenia, the more chance of developing schizophrenia.
• Genetic theory AO3

  :) RTS the role of genetics was conducted by Tierney

  > 155 adopted children whose biological mothers had schizophrenia and found they had a concordance rate of 10 % compared to 1 % in adopted children without schizophrenic parents

  > This provides significant support for the role of genetics as an explanation of schizophrenia as SLT could not have played a role as the children were adopted