A03-The role of genetics in schizophrenia

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Created on: 20-03-24 10:42


	A03-The role of genetics in schizophrenia
	Advantages Family studies-usually retrospective studies -comparing across a cross section of people who have already been diagnosed -lack of causal relationship .Kety et al research was retrospective-matched participant to allow some control over potential confounding variables .However, family studies cannot distinguish between genetic and environmental influences as each family shares the same environment. Adoption studies-Tienari-conducted a Finnish adoption study and found that out if 124 schizophrenic offspring 7.3% had become psychotic and out of 147 control offspring 1.4% had become psychotic. A strength of adoption studies is that it was a longitudinal study therfore it could also lead to high drop out rates.	Disadvantages Lack of historical validity-research has shown the importance of the genetic contribution to schizophrenia. Claridge and Davis (2003) even claimed 'the contribution of genetic influences is one of the few factual certainties about schizophrenia' Reductionist explanation-reductionist to argue that genes ca fully explain schizophrenia .It is very difficult to distinguish between the effect of genetic and environmental influences in psychological research. Tienari was able to develop upon the understanding of roles of genes play in schizophrenia and highlight the complex ro;le of genes.
	Evaluation This explanation has many strengths such as the supporting evidence from family studies, adoption studies and twin studies. Twin studies help to distinguish between the effects of nature and nurture however, mz twins may have a greater environmental similarity to dz twins due to being treated similarly by those around them. This could explain the higher concordance rates for mz twins there could be an environmental factor rather than genetic .The roles of genes cannot be ignored yet environment plays just as much a significant rile in understanding the complex genetic contribution to schizophrenia does not offer hope for treatment of the disorder. Therfore it could be more beneficial to place attention on environmental risk factors than genetic vulnerability.

A03-The role of genetics in schizophrenia

Advantages

Family studies-usually retrospective studies -comparing across a cross section of people who have already been diagnosed -lack of causal relationship .Kety et al research was retrospective-matched participant to allow some control over potential confounding variables .However, family studies cannot distinguish between genetic and environmental influences as each family shares the same environment.
Adoption studies-Tienari-conducted a Finnish adoption study and found that out if 124 schizophrenic offspring 7.3% had become psychotic and out of 147 control offspring 1.4% had become psychotic. A strength of adoption studies is that it was a longitudinal study therfore it could also lead to high drop out rates.

Disadvantages

Lack of historical validity-research has shown the importance of the genetic contribution to schizophrenia. Claridge and Davis (2003) even claimed 'the contribution of genetic influences is one of the few factual certainties about schizophrenia'
Reductionist explanation-reductionist to argue that genes ca fully explain schizophrenia .It is very difficult to distinguish between the effect of genetic and environmental influences in psychological research. Tienari was able to develop upon the understanding of roles of genes play in schizophrenia and highlight the complex ro;le of genes.

Evaluation

This explanation has many strengths such as the supporting evidence from family studies, adoption studies and twin studies. Twin studies help to distinguish between the effects of nature and nurture however, mz twins may have a greater environmental similarity to dz twins due to being treated similarly by those around them. This could explain the higher concordance rates for mz twins there could be an environmental factor rather than genetic .The roles of genes cannot be ignored yet environment plays just as much a significant rile in understanding the complex genetic contribution to schizophrenia does not offer hope for treatment of the disorder. Therfore it could be more beneficial to place attention on environmental risk factors than genetic vulnerability.

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A03-The role of genetics in schizophrenia