37: OCR Psychology - explanations for schizophrenia

What's the name for the psychological theory of schizophrenia?

• ABC model

• dopamine hypothesis

• social drift theory

• social rank theory

Social drift theory tries to explain the link between schizophrenia and what?

• depression

• dopamine

• evolution

• social class

Working class people are how many times more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia?

• 2

• 5

• 8

• 10

Which two factors are said to explain social drift?

• disengagement of individuals

• evolution

• lack of money

• rejection by society

Answer explanation

The schizophrenic patient loses interest in normal activities and withdraws from things like jobs and leisure. In addition they suffer stigma and discrimination which leads to a downward spiral.

Click on the valid criticisms of social drift theory.

• can't establish cause and effect

• ignores biological explanations for schizophrenia

• ignores the role of family in contributing to schizophrenia

• all of the above

Answer explanation

Can't tell if being schizophrenic leads to being in a lower social class, or the other way round.

There is evidence to suggest biological causes of schizophrenia.

Evidence suggests family dynamics might trigger schizophrenia.

What is the biological explanation for schizophrenia?

• ABC model

• dopamine hypothesis

• social drift theory

• social rank theory

The dopamine hypothesis suggests that too many dopamine receptors may cause what symptoms of schizophrenia?

• delusions

• hallucinations

• catatonic symptoms

• lack of motivation

Answer explanation

The mesolimbic pathway transmits messages to parts of the limbic system relating to motivation, reward, and fear. It may account for some positive symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.

Low dopamine levels in which part of the brain may explain negative symptoms?

• pre-frontal cortex

• hippocampus

• amygdala

• temporal lobe

Answer explanation

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for executive function, planning and decision making, suggesting that negative symptoms such as withdrawal might be a result of too little dopamine in this part of the brain.

Which three parts of the brain are often smaller in volume in people with schizophrenia?

• amygdala

• hippocampus

• prefrontal cortex

• temporal lobe

Answer explanation

hippocampus is linked to memory formation; prefrontal cortex is linked to planning and executive function, and the temporal lobe is linked to speech and language.

Click on the valid criticisms of the biological explanations for schizophrenia.

• ignores the role of the environment

• can't prove cause and effect

• it's too deterministic

• all of the above