The dopamine hypothesis suggests a biological link to schizophrenia due to imbalances in neurotransmitters. Which term is this hypothesis?

The dopamine hypothesis suggests a biological link to schizophrenia due to imbalances in neurotransmitters. Which term is this hypothesis?

• A. Dopamine hypothesis
• B. Evolutionary perspective
• C. Eclectic approach
• D. Fugue

Answer: (A)

The term is the dopamine hypothesis. It’s a biological theory that links schizophrenia to imbalances in dopamine neurotransmission in the brain. The idea fits positive symptoms like delusions and hallucinations, which are thought to arise from excessive dopamine activity in mesolimbic pathways, while some negative and cognitive symptoms may relate to reduced dopamine activity in the prefrontal cortex. Supporting evidence includes antipsychotic medications that block dopamine D2 receptors and can lessen positive symptoms, as well as findings that drugs increasing dopamine (like amphetamines) can provoke or worsen psychotic features. In contrast, evolutionary perspective looks at traits through selective advantage, an eclectic approach blends multiple theories without a single focus, and fugue is a dissociative disorder involving memory loss and travel—none of which describe neurotransmitter imbalance in schizophrenia.

The term is the dopamine hypothesis. It’s a biological theory that links schizophrenia to imbalances in dopamine neurotransmission in the brain. The idea fits positive symptoms like delusions and hallucinations, which are thought to arise from excessive dopamine activity in mesolimbic pathways, while some negative and cognitive symptoms may relate to reduced dopamine activity in the prefrontal cortex. Supporting evidence includes antipsychotic medications that block dopamine D2 receptors and can lessen positive symptoms, as well as findings that drugs increasing dopamine (like amphetamines) can provoke or worsen psychotic features. In contrast, evolutionary perspective looks at traits through selective advantage, an eclectic approach blends multiple theories without a single focus, and fugue is a dissociative disorder involving memory loss and travel—none of which describe neurotransmitter imbalance in schizophrenia.