* (4) Biological explanations: neural correlates

Neural correlates

measurements of the structure or function of the brain that occur in conjunction with an experience, in this case schizophrenia.

There is growing evidence that schizophrenia is down to structural abnormalities in the brain.

Ventricular Space

• People with schizophrenia have abnormally large ventricles in the brain (up to 30% larger)

• Ventricles are fluid filled cavities so the brains of schizophrenics are lighter than normal

Ventral Striatum

Activity in the ventral striatum has been linked to the development of avolition (loss of motivation)

Superior Temporal Gyrus

Reduced activity in the superior temporal gyrus and anterior cingulate gyrus have been linked to the development of auditory hallucinations

Amygdala

The amygdala is responsible for basic feelings such as fear, this is smaller in schizophrenics so can link to loss of emotion

Prefrontal Cortex

This helps people think logically and organise their thoughts.

Many schizophrenics have lower activity in this area which can be linked to delusions and disorganised thoughts

Evaluation of Neural Correlates of Schizophrenia: Empirical evidence

MRIs have made it possible to investigate living brain images which is an advance on merely having to rely on post mortems.

However findings are inconsistent

Evaluation of Neural Correlates of Schizophrenia: Correlational factors

It is still uncertain whether structural abnormalities/reduced functioning predispose to schizophrenia, or whether the onset of the clinical symptoms causes these changes.

Evaluation of Neural Correlates of Schizophrenia: issue/debate

• Biological explanations do account for schizophrenia, however the fact that there is no conclusive explanation that accounts for all schizophrenics - research is difficult to interpret and there have been contradictory findings

• It is difficult to establish cause and effect – as many participants have suffered from schizophrenia for a while and have been undergoing treatment

• Enlarged ventricles may be the result of taking anti-psychotic medication for example Biological explanations are reductionist in attempting to explain a complex multi- faceted disorder at the level of cells, genes and chemicals