Tuesday's lesson + homework

Hello girls.

Sorry I can't be there Tuesday.

A reminder of the homework. I would like you to look at one case study of a person who has experienced schizophrenia and prepare a summary for the rest of the group.

Click on the heading below to go to the site

Health Talk Studies:
Pete (05)
Dolly (08)
Kirsty (12)
Jenni (09)
Tom (23)

• Relevant contextual issues (family etc) which may link to biological and or psychological explanations. 
• Clinical characteristics displayed / discussed. Are they +ve -ve? 
• Impact this had on individual and family / friends 
• What treatments have they experienced. 
• What have been positive / negative side effects. 
• What other issues does the study touch upon?

It now appears that the last day of term (15th Dec) will be a toy day for school (lots of activities) so there will not be a lesson. However, I would still like your essay in. This can be given in at the office and just say it's for me.

Essay

Do look at the D grade answer in Cardwell to a similar 10 mark question. 

Recent NHS policy and guidelines support the increased provision of psychological therapies for schizophrenia. However, such therapies are not without their criticisms and biological treatments have also shown themselves to have a role to play in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Outline and evaluate psychological therapies as a treatment of schizophrenia.

(25 AO1 – 9 AO2/3 16) As a guide - 400 words A01 600 words A02/3

Homework - Essay

Outline and evaluate one or more biological explanations for schizophrenia. In your evaluation you should refer to research evidence. (9 marks + 16 marks)

This question comes from a specimen paper from the AQA. On this occasion I would like you to fully research, plan and develop your answer. As such - it will take longer than would be given in the exam.

You can see a basic level answer to this question on Pg 174 0f the Dog Book - however, the level of detail in the answer is for a 15 mark rather than 25 mark answer.

The mark scheme below is used by examiners in marking the question paper.

AO1 = 9 marks Outline of one or more biological explanations

Examiners need to be mindful of the breadth/depth trade-off here. The most likely explanation to be offered is the genetic explanation but it is probable that the dopamine hypothesis and the biochemical explanation will also be described. Neuroanatomical explanations are also acceptable. The diathesis-stress model is also relevant here and could be credited descriptively (AO1) as an explanation in its own right or evaluatively (AO2), depending on how the material is used. The focus in this question is on biological explanations. Psychological or socio/cultural explanations only attract credit if they are used as part of a sustained commentary on biological explanations.

AO1 Mark bands

AO2 / AO3 = 16 marks Evaluation of biological explanation(s) and methodological evaluation of studies/evidence

Candidates are likely to evaluate the explanation(s) of schizophrenia in terms of their strengths and weaknesses, effectiveness, including comparison with alternative explanations and the extent to which the explanations are supported by evidence. Credit evaluation of research studies in terms of their methodology, reliability, validity and the extent to which generalisations can be made. It is legitimate to use psychological explanations as evaluation but the material must be used effectively to offer commentary on the biological explanation(s). Straightforward descriptions of psychological explanations will not attract credit.

Schizophrenia (Schizophrenia)

Schizophrenia (Schizophrenia)

Stigma and Mental Health

Sorry it's late girls... Homework for Thursday 13th October.

What problems might be associated with being given a diagnosis of a mental health disorder such as schizophrenia? I am looking for a brief summary with 4-5 possible issues being addressed, on paper if needed but preferably on this blog.

I can't recommend the link below highly enough for personal accounts of psychosis: MENTAL HEALTH TALK ONLINE

You may also want to check out again Rosenhan's 1973 being sane in insane places experiment.

Peer Review

Homework ready for 20th September

Make sure you have your write up of your research ready to conduct a "Peer Review" of your own work.


Key issues covered in the last lesson:

• Scientific process (Empiricism)
• Thomas Khun's view of science
• Karl Popper's view of science

Use hyperlinks for quick revision of these issues.

Welcome to Year 13