Nature vs Nurture Essay

Bipolar disorder is one of the oldest known illnesses. Extensive research reveals that there was some mention of the symptoms in early medical records, which date back to the 1600’s. Bipolar was first noticed as far back as the second century. Aretaeus of Cappadocia (a city in ancient Turkey) first recognized some symptoms of mania and depression, and felt they could be linked to each other. Aretaeus’s findings went unnoticed and unsubstantiated until 1650, when a scientist named Richard Burton wrote a book, The Anatomy of Melancholia, which focused specifically on depression. His findings are still used today by many in the mental health field, and he is credited with being the father of depression as a mental illness. Bipolar is defined

(Müller-Oerlinghausen, Berghöfer & Bauer, 2002). More importantly, It should be noted that controversy has arisen over the exact reasons individuals suffer from bipolar disorder, where it still remains somewhat unclear (Leahy, 2007). Although ambiguous, researchers have established that bipolar disorder results from a multifaceted interaction of genetic and environmental factors (Demjaha, MacCabe & Murray, 2011) in sum, several things are said to be correlated with origin and maintenance of Bipolar disorder. This literature review will examine the biopsychosocial model approach. Examining biological, environmental and psychological under pinning’s in the diagnoses and classification of mental illness.

Aside from genetic studies, it has previously been noted that there are associations between some of the personality traits (which are quantitative in nature and applicable to all human beings) and some categorical psychiatric conditions like depression and schizophrenia [Koorevaar et al., 2013; Guerra et al., 2000]. Identification of the genetic components of personality traits, at the same time as studies are underway to identify genetic components of bipolar disorder and other psychiatric conditions, offer an opportunity to better understand the interactions and components of the biological components that shape psychological experience and psychiatric illness.

Family studies that Zandi and his research team have begun to conduct are beginning to look promising. His team has identified the response of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), which was laying in the gene PPARD of a specific chromosome. After finding the first SNP, researchers were able to match its response to another SNP which had previously been identified as a bipolar cohort. Evertually they were able to locate four more associated with bipolar disorder, all of which were located on a single haplotype block, a combination of SNP’s, on gene PPARD. SNP’s are differences between DNA sequences that allow for genetic variations among humans. SNP’s are extremely difficult to identify, however new technologies have led to more recent discoveries. In the near future, as we gain more knowledge about them, SNP’s will allow researchers to revolutionize their ability to detect diseases, and develop preventative and curative medicine.

The novel An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison is a hauntingly beautiful work, in addition to being a fascinating look into an illness that is still far from being truly understood. Her accounts of the manic and depressive periods that she went through shed light on the disorder that was still in its early stages of true discovery. In relation to the theories on bipolar disorder discussed in lecture, I was most intrigued by Jamison’s take on its genetics and the research being put into discovering its genetic roots, medication options and compliance to said medications, and psychotherapy in combination with medication for bipolar patients. Genetically speaking, bipolar disorder, or in Jamison’s case, bipolar I, according to her diagnosis

From Dr. Money’s perspective, raising Bruce as a girl would allow him to live a “normal” life, if he were to live his life without a penis, he would be seen as an outsider and rejected from society. He also suggested to put Bruce on estrogen, but also surgically give him a cosmetic vagina. Dr. Money explained to Ron and Janet that Bruce/Brenda, would psychologically mature as a woman, and be attracted to men, as well as be able to have sexual intecourse, without a problem. According to Bruce’s parents, there was no reason “that it shouldn’t work” (50). However, they could have thought it out thoroughly, what if Brenda didn’t feel comfortable in her own skin? Would she feel as though something is wrong with her? This is where the topic of

The idea that our genetic code controls most aspects of our lives is arguable. Nowadays, scientists (cell biologists, neuroscientists, etc.) are uncovering concrete evidence that are genetic code is only one of the many complex system of the human body that sways our lives. According to one new study, (“Do

It has been argued that if genes influence behaviour and character, and we cannot choose our genes, then our behaviour is outside our control and we are not responsible. However, we take the view that genes are not deterministic, and that there is scope for an

The Manipulation of Gene Expressions Every day people make choices whether good or bad. These choices shape people’s lives but, what we don’t consider, is that it affects other people’s lives as well. Today’s society has a mindset that their own choices only affect themselves. Environment, culture and mental mindset impacts our genes more than one would think.

The world of Genetics is one that is both fascinating and interesting. When tackling how genetics plays a role in behavior, one must look within the scope of what genetics is before dealing with how it plays a significant role in one’s behavior. Simply put, genetics is the study of genes. It is a biological component within the entire study of biology itself. Scientists who study genetics and perform research do so with the intent to learn more about how genetics affects the overall attitudes, behaviors and dispositions of individuals. It could be said that genetics is somewhat of a psychological-biological science as researchers look at the underlying patterns within the genes that cause

Is behavior learned? It is inborn? What of aggression, intelligence, and madness? There is a crucial relationship between the behavior of humans toward their own kind and the view of life they hold. Interest in behavioral genetics depends on wanting to know why people differ. According to Jack R. Vale, in Genes, Environment, and Behavior, recognition of the importance of hereditary influence on behavior represents one of the most dramatic changes in the social and behavioral sciences during the past two decades. A shift began toward the more balanced contemporary view that recognizes genetic as well as environmental influences on behavior. Behavioral genetics lies in its theory and methods, which consider both genetic and

Scientists and psychologists everywhere study twins. The argument most commonly studied is nature versus nurture. The focus of this essay, however, is whether or not to separate twins in schools. Some believe the separation is demeaning and traumatic to the twins. The side about to be proved however that is this separation is a necessary step in the individualization of twins. Often, separation sparks the path to individualization.

It appears, however, that one single gene is not solely responsible for a particular behavior. Instead it seems to take many genes that are combined together to produce both functional and dysfunctional behaviors.

Human character and behaviour are not only shaped by the genes that encompass the individual’s genotype. Human character comprising mainly of personality, sexuality, morality and intelligence are the products of genetic determinism as well as external environmental factors. “Single genes can have surprisingly strong influences on particular aspects of behaviour.” (Frank., 2009)