Neural Correlates of Schizophrenia (OCR A-Level Psychology): Revision Notes
12.2.2 Neural Correlates of Schizophrenia
Neural correlates:
Neural correlates refer to necessary brain activity to produce specific experiences. This includes measurements of brain structures that correlate with experiences, such as those linked to the symptoms of schizophrenia. The dopamine hypothesis is an example of a neural correlate, helping to explain both the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia by examining the relationship between brain structures and these symptoms.
Other examples include:
The prefrontal cortex – many people with schizophrenia have lower activity in this area which could be linked to delusions. The prefrontal cortex helps people to organise their thoughts logically
Dopamine – low levels in certain areas are linked to negative symptoms as these are linked to a loss of pleasure. High levels in certain brain areas are linked to positive symptoms
Activity in the ventral striatum has been linked to the development of avolition. The ventral striatum is believed to be involved with the anticipation of a reward for certain actions. Therefore, abnormality in areas such as this would result in a lack of motivation (avolition)
People with schizophrenia have abnormally large ventricles
Evaluation:
(1)
P: Strong evidence supports a genetic link to schizophrenia.
E: Family studies show that the likelihood of developing schizophrenia increases with genetic closeness to a relative with the disorder. Twin studies show higher concordance rates for monozygotic (MZ) twins compared to dizygotic (DZ) twins.
E: This suggests a genetic component in schizophrenia, supporting the genetic explanation.
(2)
P: Genetic explanations may be confounded by environmental factors.
E: MZ twins often share more similar environments than DZ twins, potentially inflating concordance rates due to shared environmental influences rather than genetics alone.
E: This suggests that the genetic explanation is not fully sufficient and environmental factors must also be considered.
(3)
P: Genetic understanding can lead to early intervention.
E: Identifying individuals at genetic risk can help in monitoring and possibly preventing the onset of schizophrenia through early intervention strategies.
E: This practical application highlights the utility of genetic research in clinical settings.
(4)
P: Biological explanations are often criticised for being reductionist.
E: These explanations attempt to explain a complex disorder solely at the level of genetics, potentially neglecting the complex interplay of psychological, social, and environmental factors.
E: This reductionism can lead to an incomplete understanding of the disorder, emphasising the need for a more holistic approach.