question_answer

How biological factors cause abnormal behaviour.

Answer:

Ans.     Psychologists have used various determinant and perspectives to explain abnormal behaviour. Some of the major factor to explain cause of abnormality are as following:

A. Biological factors such as faulty genes, endocrine imbalances, malnutrition, injuries and other conditions may interfere with normal development and functioning of the human body. These factors may be potential causes of abnormal behaviour.

According to this biological model, abnormal behaviour has a biochemical or physiological basis.

Biological researchers have found that psychological disorders are often related to problems in the transmission of messages from one neuron to another.

(A tiny space called synapse separates one neuron from the next, and the message must move across that space. When an electrical impulse reaches a neuron’s ending, the nerve ending is stimulated to release a chemical, called a neurotransmitter.

Studies indicate that abnormal activity by certain neurotransmitters can lead to specific psychological disorders. Anxiety disorders have been linked to low activity of the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), schizophrenia to excess activity of dopamine whereas depression is caused due to low rate of serotonin.

Genetic Factors:

Genetic factors have been linked to mood disorders, schizophrenia, mental retardation and other psychological disorders.

Researches indicate that no single gene is responsible for a particular behaviour or a psychological disorder.

In fact, many genes combine to bring about various behaviours and emotional reactions, both functional and dysfunctional.

There is evidence to believe that genetic and biochemical factors are involved in mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc. but biology alone cannot account for most mental disorders.