Another feature of the biological approach to psychopathology is the idea that abnormalities in the brain anatomy or chemistry are sometimes the result of genetic inheritance. Whilst it is hard to test this theory on many individuals it can be tested for in monozygotic twins as a comparison can be made. This provides us with a concordance rate (the extent to which two individuals are similar to each other in terms of a particular trait). For example there are low concordance rates for some mental disorders e.g. phobias but high concordance rates for others e.g. schizophrenia.
However it is vital to note that although these correlational studies provide sound evidence into genetic inheritance, they are impractical and immoral to carry out. Whilst correlational studies provide a comparison of the frequencies of mental disorders in various population they fail to demonstrate cause and effect. For example the simple cause and effect link between mental illness such as schizophrenia and altered brain chemistry. Schizophrenia is commonly associated with an excess of the brain neurotransmitter dopamine. However some studies of schizophrenic patients have shown reduced levels of dopamine in some brain tissues, meaning that there may be simultaneous excesses and deficiencies in different parts of the brain.
One must also consider that there is no evidence to support the idea that mental disorders are caused by genetic inheritance as concordance rates are never 100%. Gottesman and Shields (1976) reviewed the results of five studies of twins, looking for concordance rates in schizophrenia. They found that in monozygotic twins there was a concordance rate of around 50%. If schizophrenia was entirely the product of genetic inheritance, we should expect this figure to be 100%. It is likely that in the case of certain disorders, what individuals inherit is susceptibility for the disorder, but the disorder itself only develops if the individual is exposed to stressful life conditions. This is known as the diathesis-stress model.
A further outline of the biological approach to psychopathology is the role of genes. Genes tell the body how to function as they determine, for example, the levels of hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain. High levels of serotonin are associated with anxiety, whereas low levels have been found in depressed individuals.
The final feature of the biological approach to psychopathology is the possibility of viral infection. Research suggests that some disorders may be related to exposure to certain viruses in the womb. Torrey (2001) found that the mothers of many people with schizophrenia had contracted a particular strain of influenza during pregnancy. The virus may enter the unborn child’s brain, where it remains dormant until puberty, when other hormones may activate it, producing the symptoms of schizophrenia.
Despite the fact that the biological approach to psychopathology has led to successful treatments e.g. drug therapies are based on an understanding of neurotransmitters. I feel its weaknesses outweigh its strengths. For example many critics have argued that the medical model aka the biological model is inhumane. Thomas Szasz (1972) argued that mental illnesses did not have a physical basis, therefore should not be thought of in the same way. He suggested that the concept of mental illness was invented as a form of social control.
by
amyvanschalkwyk (student)
