The Biological Approach to Psychopathology

OUTLINE OF APPROACH

• Abnormality is caused by Physical Factors
• All mental disorders are related to a change in the body.
• Mental disorders are like physical disorders.
• Genetic Inheritance
• Genetic inheritance can be the cause of abnormalities; study twins to investigate (concordance rates)
• For some disorders, there are low concordance rates (phobias) but high concordance rates for others (e.g. schizophrenia)
• Genes in our ancestors from evolution which are no longer useful.
• Certain Genes Lead to Abnormal Biochemistry and/or Abnormal Neroanatomy
• Genes tell the body how to function... determining hormone levels etc.
  
• High levels of seretonin - anxiety
• Low levels of seretonin - depression
• Genes also determine size of brain , schizophrenics have enlarged ventricles in brain indicating shrinkage of brain tissue around these spaces.
• Viral Infection
• Some disorders may be…