Brain Abnormality

• CT & MRI scans capture structural images of the brain allowing us to see structural differences between normal and abnormal brains.
• PET scans create functional imagery by using glucose to identify active parts of the brain
• Schizophrenia

  • CT scans show schizophrenics have enlarged ventricles which can impact on neighbouring parts of the brain meaning they aren’t as developed.
  • Schizophrenics have smaller temporal lobes which supports the idea of issues with speech and auditory comprehension.
  • There is a reduction in neuron density which is linked with mood and emotion.
• Depression

  • Smaller volume in the frontal lobes which is associated with difficulty problem solving and decision making which can lead to unhappiness and mood problems.
• Scientific- brain abnormality approach measures differences in an objective way. In CT scans it’s shown that schizophrenic people have enlarged ventricles which impacts neighbouring areas. This is beneficial as it gives a clear cause and effect relationship making it easier to identify and treat the problem. Although it doesn’t provide insight into why this happens.
• Reductionist- the brain abnormality approach only takes into account biological factors but ignores others such as environmental. It was found that schizophrenics have enlarged ventricles which impacts neighbouring areas and this was said to be caused by biology but childhood trauma could’ve caused this. This can be a problem as it means we may be missing things that limit our understanding of mental illness. However, it can be seen as beneficial as it means we can focus and pinpoint on one area which makes it easier to develop a treatment.