Positive Psychology: WJEC: CONTEMP DEBATE PSYCHOSURGERY
Psychosurgery involves altering brain structures to treat severe psychological conditions. Techniques like leucotomy and stereotactic surgery have been used—especially for disorders like schizophrenia—with mixed outcomes. While some patients benefit, risks such as permanent brain damage remain a concern.
What is psychosurgery?
The use of surgery on areas of the brain to reduce psychological problems.
Key Terms
What is psychosurgery?
The use of surgery on areas of the brain to reduce psychological problems.
What is leucotomy
Drilling to holes on either side of the skull and using a tool to separate the frontal lobes from the rest of the brain
What psychological disorder is leucotomy used for
Schizophrenia
Regarding psychosurgery, what did D’Astous et al find in 2013?
Half of 19 patients studied at seven years had responded well to surgery; two patients had permanent brain damage though.
Name two techniques used for psychosurgery?
Stereotactic psychosurgery to destroy specific areas of the brain using electrical currents;
Use of non-invasive ultrasound.
Name two major concerns with psychosurgery
Fatalities, change of personality, decreased attention span, inability to live a normal life.
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What is psychosurgery? | The use of surgery on areas of the brain to reduce psychological problems. |
What is leucotomy | Drilling to holes on either side of the skull and using a tool to separate the frontal lobes from the rest of the brain |
What psychological disorder is leucotomy used for | Schizophrenia |
Regarding psychosurgery, what did D’Astous et al find in 2013? | Half of 19 patients studied at seven years had responded well to surgery; two patients had permanent brain damage though. |
Name two techniques used for psychosurgery? | Stereotactic psychosurgery to destroy specific areas of the brain using electrical currents; |
Name two major concerns with psychosurgery | Fatalities, change of personality, decreased attention span, inability to live a normal life. |
Name three ethical considerations with psychosurgery |
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What is the aim of the classic research Raine et al 1997? | Where the criminals who had committed murder and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity showed different brain structures to those who have not committed murder |
What were the methods of the classic research Raine et al 1997? | Matched pairs design is in a natural experiment. 41 criminals, control group matched by age sex and diagnosis. |
What were the findings of the classic research Raine et al 1997? | The criminals (NGRIs - not guilty for reasons of insanity) were found to have less activity in prefrontal and Pareto areas and more activity in occipital area. They also had less activity in the corpus callous am which joins the two hemispheres and an imbalance between the two hemispheres in terms of activity in the amygdala, the hippocampus and the thalamus. |
What were the conclusions of the classic research Raine et al 1997? | The criminals (NGRIs - not guilty for reasons of insanity) had significantly different levels of brain activity which may be associated with violent behaviour. The amygdala is associated with emotional responses; people with the damage to corpus callous them have difficulties in controlling emotions, and differences in prefrontal activity may be important because this is where rational thinking takes place |
Provide three evaluations of Raine et al (1997) |
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