Is schizophrenia caused by genetic (nature) or environmental (nurture) factors? Critically discuss with reference to both psychological theory and research.

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Is schizophrenia caused by genetic (nature) or environmental (nurture) factors?

Is schizophrenia caused by genetic (nature) or environmental (nurture) factors? Critically discuss with reference to both psychological theory and research.

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Unit name: Psychology 101

Word count:1200

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to find out if schizophrenia is caused by genetic or environmental factors. The essay discussed both genetic and environmental factors critically with reference to both psychological theory and research.

The essay examined a wide range of literature and resources ranging from biological and environmental theories, scholarly articles and peer reviewed journals

The essay supports the assertion that genetic factors play a more prominent role in the cause of schizophrenia than environmental factors. The paper concluded by maintaining that though genetic factors are more responsible for schizophrenia than environmental factors, it acknowledges the importance of environment factors in the cause of schizophrenia. That both factors are interwoven and significant in the cause of schizophrenia.

Is schizophrenia caused by genetic (nature) or environmental (nurture) factors? Critically discuss with reference to both psychological theory and research.

What is schizophrenia? The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition: DSM-5 and the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition: ICD-10 see Schizophrenia as a mental disorder characterized by abnormal social behaviour and failure to understand is real.

Schizophrenia is generally characterised by disturbances in Thoughts, e.g., delusions, Perception, e.g., hallucinations, Language, e.g., disconnected ideas and Affect e.g., flattening of emotion. For a diagnosis, symptoms must have been present for six months and include at least one month of active symptom (DSM - 5).

. Symptoms typically come on gradually, begin in young adulthood, and last a long time there are three different types of symptoms associated with schizophrenia:  ‘positive symptoms’, ‘negative symptoms’ and ‘catatonia and inappropriate effect. (DSM- 5).

Positive symptoms

  • Auditory hallucinations - hearing voices talking, laughing or other things that are making noise. It can also mean noises in the person’s environment are painful to hear or too much for them to bear.
  • Seeing things that aren’t there, or finding light too bright or blinding.
  • Experiencing delusions - having thoughts most people would disagree with.
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Negative symptoms

  • Lack of expression – when a person’s face, voice tone and gestures seem flat, or looking disinterested in surroundings.
  • Lack of motivation – having trouble doing simple things, not being able to get interested in everything, feeling sleepy.
  • Lack of pleasure – not enjoying things they used to, including relationships and activities.

Theories of schizophrenia have attempted to explain the possible cause of this abnormality over the years. For the purpose of this essay, we are going to examine the following theories:

  • Diathesis-stress model; This model says schizophrenia develops in people with an underlying biological ...

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