Outline and evaluate the biological approach to

Psychopathology

(12 marks)Outline the biological approach - 6 marks

Evaluate the biological approach - 6 marks

Begin your essay by summarising this information in one paragraph

The biological approach treats psychological disorders in the same way as physical disorders

It proposes 4 main causes of abnormality: Brain injury, infection, Neurotransmitters and

Genetics Then go on to describe two or more of these in more

detail using examples and referring to studies where appropriate. Choose from the following information:

Outline the biological approach (6)

A degeneration or malformation of brain cells can cause memory loss often present in Alzheimer’s disease.

Korsakoff’s syndrome occurs when drink and drugs damage part of the brain involved in memory.

Brain injury

Syphilis bacterium causes a sexually transmitted disease known as syphilis. ◦ It causes short-lived sores followed by general paresis -

forgetfulness, mental deterioration and delusions of grandeur and persecution.

The influenza virus has been linked to schizophrenia.

Brown et al (2004) ◦ found that 14% of schizophrenic cases may be linked to

the foetus being exposed to the ‘flu virus in the womb during the first trimester.

Infection

Too much or too little of a neurotransmitter can lead to psychopathology.

One of the factors involved in schizophrenia is an excessive amount of dopamine

High levels of serotonin have been thought be involved in the manic state of bi-polar depression.

Neurotransmitters

McGuffin - Studied twins where one of the pair already suffered from depression.

Assessed the co-twin and found… 46% concordance rate for depression (MZ) 20% concordance rate for depression (DZ) Gottesman - Meta-analysis of about 40

twin studies Found concordance rate for schizophrenia of

48% in monozygotic twins and 17% in dizygotic twins

Genetics

Try to make 3 points and use the point – example comment- format

Strengths – this is the most scientific approach, there is evidence for a biological component in many psychological disorders e.g. Schizophrenia / depression.

Drugs work on our physiology and they are often effective treatments for psychological disorders e.g. 50-65% of patients given an SSRI for three months showed signs of improvement in tests, 70% success rate for panic disorders, 60% success rate for symptoms of hallucinations and psychotic episodes

Evaluate the biological approach (6)

Weaknesses: Reductionism – it ignores all other

explanations of psychopathology, i.e. Environmental influences, childhood trauma, irrational thinking

Drugs don’t work for everyone. e.g. Treatment success rates are well below 100%

Genetics can’t explain all abnormality as there are no 100% concordance rates.

Evaluate the biological approach (6)