Critically consider the contributions of biological and environmental factors in schizophrenia.

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Alex Nichol

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Psychology

CRITICALLY CONSIDER THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF BIOLOGICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA.

Schizophrenia is a complex brain disorder affecting thoughts and perceptions.  This illness affects at least 1% of the population worldwide, regardless of race, economic condition or geographical location.

No single cause of schizophrenia has been identified to date There are likely to be several contributing factors. This essay will consider the possible biological & environmental factors.

There are probably multiple causes for schizophrenia, & scientists do not know all of the factors that produce this mental disorder.

Biological factors arise from physiology, biochemistry, genetic make up and physical constitution. Studies have shown that genetic factors play an important role in the development of schizophrenia; for example, the child of one parent with schizophrenia has about a 10% chance of developing the disease. If both parents suffer with the disease, the risk is increased by 40%.  By comparison, the risk of schizophrenia in the general population is about 1%.  The table below indicates the possible chances of developing schizophrenia during a lifetime.

However if genetics was the ONLY factor in developing schizophrenia, then both monozygotic (identical) twins should always develop this illness.  Twin studies have shown that the tendency for both monozygotic twins to develop schizophrenia is between 30-50%.  The tendency for dizygotic (fraternal) twins to develop schizophrenia is about 15%.  Similarly the tendency for siblings who are not twins (such as brothers of different ages) is also about 15%, bearing in mind that schizophrenia is found in the general population at a rage of about 1%. Therefore, because the tendency for monozygotic twins is NOT 100%, genetics cannot be the only factor.  However, because the tendency for monozygotic twins to have schizophrenia is much greater than the tendency for dizygotic twins, showing that genetics DOES play a role. (Gottesman 1991).

Researchers are currently using various brain imaging techniques to study the condition. PET (positron emission tomography) studies have shown that in some cases there is unusual brain activity in people with schizophrenia.  CAT (Computerised axial tomography) scans show that schizophrenic patients are more likely to have subtly abnormal brain structures. It is important to remember that neither of these techniques has found any marker that is present in all schizophrenic people and not present in people without schizophrenia, leaving much work to be done in the field.

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During the 1950’s & 60’s there were several British psychologists, notably Laing who rejected the medical model of mental disorder and were hostile to organic and genetic explanations of schizophrenia. According to his family interaction model (1961) he stated that “schizophrenia can only be understood as something that occurs between people, rather than something taking place inside a person as is maintained by the medical model” he went on to say “schizophrenia refers to an interpersonal ploy used by some people (ie parents, doctors and psychiatrists) in their interactions with suffers”.

 Laing tried to get ‘inside the heads’ ...

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