How To Outline and Evaluate One Biological Therapy for Schizophrenia (12 marks).

AO1: Ability to outline and describe enough information/theory about the topic in order to get full marks (4). This can include theories, therapies, or research. AO2: Ability to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the AO1 content, whether it be a therapy, theory or research. Make sure to reference the impact that these strengths/weaknesses have on the AO1 you’re discussing. The aim of this is to emphasize whether the AO1 you’re discussing has any value or whether it can be de-valued.The structure that I find most useful to answer Psychology essay-style questions is PEEL. This is only applied to AO2 paragraphs, which come after the AO1 paragraphs. This is because AO1 paragraphs are purely descriptive and rely on how many bits of information you are able to remember in order to fully describe the theory/therapy/research. P = Point. A sentence simply outlining your point for the AO2 paragraph.E = Evidence. Another sentence describing one or two items of evidence/information for the point you have just written.E = Explanation. This part usually starts with the words “this shows…” in order to explain the impact that the evidence we have just given has on the AO1 point we are evaluating.L = Link back to the question. This sentence usually starts with the word “therefore…” which explains further why this evaluation we have just done of the AO1 point is relevant to the question that is being asked. (For example, if you’re being asked to “outline and evaluate”, you’d just say whether this evaluation means that this therapy/theory/research is useful/trustworthy or not.) For this question, I would use two AO1 paragraphs and four AO2 paragraphs, to ensure the marks will be met. AO1: Antipsychotic drugs can be divided into two branches, conventional and atypical antipsychotics. Conventional antipsychotic drugs, such as chlorpromazine, reduce the effects of the neurotransmitter dopamine, thus reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia. They bind to dopamine receptors in the body and block their action. However, some dopamine receptors, such as D3 receptors, regulate movement. This leads to side effects, for example tardive dyskinesia, which is the involuntary movement of the mouth and tongue. AO1: Atypical antipsychotic drugs target more specific dopamine receptors, most commonly D2 receptors, and block serotonin. D2 receptors regulate dopamine, so the binding and blocking of them alone means higher levels of dopamine can be lowered but with less excess side effects. AO2: (P) Support for the effectiveness of conventional antipsychotics was found by Davis et al. (E) They compared 29 studies using antipsychotic drugs and placebos; they found that relapse rates in the placebo condition were 55%, compared to relapse rates in the drug condition, at 19%. (E) This shows that patients have a real reaction to the antipsychotic drug and it does relieve relapse. (L) Therefore, conventional drugs do have an effect on the reduction of relapse rates in schizophrenia. AO2: (P) However, Ross and Read argue that placebo studies aren’t fair to use in comparing treatment and non-treatment. (E) This is because a withdrawal of antipsychotic medication creates heightened sensitivity and increased dopamine receptors to make up for the loss of the drug; the body is then flooded with dopamine. (E) This suggests that the proportion of relapses in the placebo condition can be due to withdrawal effects. (L) Therefore, it is unclear whether the apparent reduction in relapse rates in the medicated condition is due to the drug, or the withdrawal effects in the placebo condition. AO2: (P) There is support for the use of atypical antipsychotics to treat schizophrenia. (E) Jeste et al. carried out a study to test whether atypical antipsychotics were better than conventional antipsychotic drugs. (E) They found that over the course of 9 weeks of treatment, 30% of patients taking conventional drug therapy developed tardive dyskinesia, whereas only 5% of patients taking atypical antipsychotics developed it. (L) Therefore, there is proof atypical antipsychotics can cause less damage through their side effects than conventional antipsychotics, and are more appropriate to use. AO2: (P) Jeste et al’s study has outlined the lower levels of side effects associated with atypical antipsychotics. (E) Due to these lowered side effects, patients may feel encouraged to keep taking the drug. (E) Through finishing or prolonging their drug course, patients may then reap the benefits of these drugs and experience less relapses. (L) Therefore, atypical antipsychotics can also produce lower relapse rates than conventional antipsychotics, making them more beneficial to the patient.