Outline and evaluate the biological approach to Psychopathology

1. Outline and evaluate the biological approach to Psychopathology (12 marks) Outline the biological approach - 6 marks Evaluate the biological approach - 6 marks

2. Outline the biological approach (6) • 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:

3. Brain injury 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.

4. Infection • 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.

5. Neurotransmitters • 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.

6. Genetics • 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

7. Evaluate the biological approach (6) • 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

8. 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.