Week 3 schizophrenia intro
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Schizophrenia is explained through both biological and social approaches. The biological approach suggests schizophrenia results from a defective gene called PPP3CC that causes an imbalance in dopamine levels in the brain. Excessive dopamine in the limbic system is linked to positive symptoms like delusions, while low dopamine in the prefrontal cortex is linked to negative symptoms like poor cognitive functioning. The social explanation proposes those from lower social classes living in urban areas face greater stress factors like poor housing and unemployment, putting them at higher risk of developing schizophrenia. Both nature and nurture are believed to play a role in the development and symptoms of the disorder.
Week 3 schizophrenia intro
- 1. Schizophrenia Questions 1. Differentiate between positive and negative symptoms. 2. What are the major symptoms of schizophrenia? 3. Differentiate between hallucinations and delusions? 4. How long does one have to exhibit the symptoms to be diagnosed with schizophrenia?
- 3. Learning Objectives By the end of this lesson you: • Must be able to describe (Ao1) the biological explanation of schizophrenia. • Should be able to describe the social explanation of schizophrenia. • Should be able to compare the two descriptions. Pg. 20
- 4. Biological Approach • Nature debate – schizophrenia a result of our genetic inheritance or our brain functioning. – defective version of a gene, called PPP3CC to produce an imbalance in levels of dopamine
- 5. Inherit PPP3CC Gene Imbalance in dopamine levels Resulting in excessive or reduced levels in the brain Excessive – limbic system – positive symptoms – type I Lack of – prefrontal cortex-negative symptoms-type II The Dopamine Hypothesis Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and has many functions in the brain, including important roles in motivation, mood, attention, working memory, and learning.
- 6. Type I & Type II Symptoms Schizophrenia has been linked to increased levels of dopamine. This can happen in specific areas of the brain such as the limbic system (emotions). Too much dopamine in this area is linked to positive symptoms of schizophrenia. e.g. delusions and Type I schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is also sometimes linked to decreased levels of dopamine. This can happen in specific areas of the brain such as the pre-frontal cortex (intellectual functioning). Too little dopamine in this area is linked to negative symptoms of schizophrenia. e.g. poor cognitive functioning and Type II schizophrenia.
- 7. Social Explanation • The social causation hypothesis suggests that those from lower social classes who are living in urban areas are more at risk of developing schizophrenia. • Being in a lower social class increases the stress factors for a person, for example the stress resulting from high population density, high levels of unemployment, poor housing and low socioeconomic status. Such factors are associated with living in inner cities.
- 10. • Must be able to describe (Ao1) the biological explanation of schizophrenia. • Should be able to describe the social explanation of schizophrenia. • Should be able to compare the two descriptions.