the dopamine hypothesis- biological explanation

what is it (2)

messages from neurons that transmit dopamine fire too easily or too often, leading to hallucinations and delusions that are the characteristic positive symptoms of schizophrenia

schizophrenics are thought to have a higher amount of D2 receptors on recieving neurons, resulting in more dopamine binding and therefore more neurons firing

evidence that supports this (3)

rats that were given amphetamines developed sz type symptoms

cocaine also increases the levels of dopamine in the brain and can cause the positive symptoms of schizophrenia and exaggerate them in people who already have the disorder

antipsychotic drugs (dopamine antagonists) which block the activity of dopamine in the brain by reducing the stimulation of the dopamine system eliminates hallucinations and delusions

reductionism vs holism (reductionism) 

reductionist in sole emphasis on dopamine regulation. the idea that a single neurotransmitter is responsible for schizophrenia is no longer accepted. drugs like clozapine which block dopamine and serotonin receptors are often more effective than drugs that only block dopamine receptors. the efficacy of newer drugs such as glutamate antagonists suggest that an exploration of the interactions between a wide range of neurotransmitters may prove more useful than studies that focus on single neurotransmitters 

reductionism vs holism (holism) 

holism as heterogenous (multiple causes) disorder. taking a holistic approach and recognising how neurotransmitter levels are affected by experiences in the world and the ways in which we interpret them is also critical. lifestyle choices such as mindfulness, sleep, excersise and diet can affect our neurochemistry and it is therefore important to recognise how the prognosis of conditions like schizophrenia can be affected by numerous individual and situational factors, due to their impact on our biology

determinism vs free will (determinism) 

biological explanation of schizophrenia is deterministic, as it assumes that the workings of the brain are responsible for the symptoms of schizophrenia such as dopamine deficiencies and hypo/hyper levels. these may not be able to be helped

determinism vs free will (free will) 

you could alter your dopamine levels through the uses of substances such as marijuana and cocaine

nature vs nurture (nature)

individual differences in our brain chemistry

nature vs nurture (nurture)

as our brain chemistry and dopamine may alter over time