1. Lesson 14: Schizophrenia Biological Factors

2. Lesson 13: Research Methods Exam Question
A researcher is investigating the effects on the sleep cycle of subjects using a
lavender-scented pillow, which she believes will decrease nightmares. She has
two groups of subjects. Subjects in group one have lavender scented pillows
and in the other they have pillows scented with other herbs. The researcher
analyses subjects’ dreams for negative content the next day. The subjects are
not aware of which herbs are thought to reduce nightmares and the
researcher is not aware of which subjects are using lavender and which are
using other herbs.
1) The researcher is using:
A) a single-blind procedure to eliminate the placebo effect
B) a single-blind procedure to eliminate subjects expectations
C) a double-blind procedure to eliminate experimenter bias
D) a double-blind procedure to eliminate placebo and experimenter effects
2) Highlight the information in the scenario that aided your answer in q1

3. Lesson 13: Research Methods Exam Question
A researcher is investigating the effects on the sleep cycle of subjects using a
lavender-scented pillow, which she believes will decrease nightmares. She has
two groups of subjects. Subjects in group one have lavender scented pillows
and in the other they have pillows scented with other herbs. The researcher
analyses subjects’ dreams for negative content the next day. The subjects are
not aware of which herbs are thought to reduce nightmares and the
researcher is not aware of which subjects are using lavender and which are
using other herbs.
Both don’t know - double blind experimenter
placebo effect
effect
1) The researcher is using:
A) a single-blind procedure to eliminate the placebo effect
B) a single-blind procedure to eliminate subjects expectations
C) a double-blind procedure to eliminate experimenter bias
D) a double-blind procedure to eliminate placebo and experimenter effects
2) Highlight the information in the scenario that aided your answer in q1

4. Lesson 14: Schizophrenia Biological Factors
Outcomes
Explain the biological factors; genetic predisposition;
drug-induced onset; changes in brain activity; the use of
medication that blocks dopamine to treat psychosis

5. ABC America
Part 1: Part 2:

6. ABC America
Part 1: Part 2:

7. ABC America
Part 1: Part 2:

8. Schizophrenia Defined
Psychosis: loss of contact with reality
Schizophrenia is type of psychotic disorder
characterised by:
- disturbances of thinking (delusions & hallucinations)
- disorganised thoughts & behaviour
- unusual emotions

11. Biological Contributing Factors
Drug Induced Onset
Genetic
Predisposition Changes in brain
activity

12. Genetic Predisposition
Essentially means that family members of those suffering
from schizophrenia have a tendency to develop the
disorder. This does not mean they will!
Research has found that the closer the relation - the higher
the tendency is to develop the disorder
Unrelated person in general population - 1%
Identical twins - 48%

13. Drug Induced Onset
The use of certain drugs particularly those that manipulate the brains
use of the chemical Dopamine has been shown to lead to mental
health problems.
Such drugs include: Hallucinogens (LSD), Stimulants (amphetamines,
cocaine, ecstasy), Phencyclidine (PCP), and Cannabis (marijuana)
Some mimic the effect of positive symptoms and can result in a first
psychotic episode
If experience symptoms whilst under influence of drugs - then is
referred to as a drug-induced psychosis or in DSM substance induced
psychotic disorder.

14. Changes in brain activity
Dopamine theory: schizophrenia is caused by too much
dopamine in the brain
Enlarged ventricles: Patients of schizophrenia show a loss
of brain tissue in the brain (see figure 21.32 of text p 523)
involved in emotions, thinking and information processing.
Prefrontal cortex activity: Hypofrontality - patients of
schizophrenia show a reduced level of brain activity in the
prefrontal area of the brain

15. Biological Management
According to the dopamine theory or dopamine
hypothesis - schizophrenia is caused by the release of too
much dopamine in the brain.
Anti-psychotic medications (aka anti psychotics and
neuroleptics) are designed to reduced the level of
dopamine and thus relieve patients of positive
symptoms.
Dopamine-blocking medication
- dopamine antagonists -
block dopamine activity at the synapse

16. Essential Learning Activities
Activity 1: Symptomology
Complete activity sheet on wiki
Activity 2: Genetic Predisposition
Create a visually appealing digital poster using web imagery of self / self portraits / family portraits or
cartoon or television families (like the Simpsons) to demonstrate understanding of proposed genetic
predisposition for Schizophrenia and an understanding of appropriate terminiology such as
“monozygotic” (identical), “dizygotic” (fraternal) and “concordance rate” in reference to twin studies.
Figure 21.30 of text book p 520, will assist you with rate data.
Activity 3: Biological explanations of schizophrenia
Create a mind map of the following explanations of schizophrenia
- genetic
- biochemical
- neuroanatomical
Include:
-description of explanation
-the research method used to find evidence
-one research study which provides evidence