Running header: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Annotated Bibliography
Introduction to Psychology
Shelly A. Brooks
Course: PY-201 General Psychology
Instructor: Ms. Marleine Gagnon

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Annotated Bibliography

Need, A. C., & Goldstein, D. B. (2014). Schizophrenia genetics comes of age. Neuron, 83(4),
760-763. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2014.08.015
The aim of this article was to corroborate genetic links to schizophrenia to further
understand its causes from a genetic and biological point-of-view. The paper highlighted
the inaccuracies of earlier methods used to identify genomes related to schizophrenia in
contrast to the genome-wide association studies, which, by establishing standards to
eliminate or greatly reduce false-positives, narrowed the list of genomes potentially
linked to the risk of this disease. The study found that the neurotransmitter dopamine and
proteins involved with synaptic plasticity were found in the loci of genes identified
through the study as possible genetic causes of schizophrenia. The exact genes related to
the risks of this disease have yet to be identified. This article would be useful for my
paper because it confirms that the causes of schizophrenia are genetically and
biologically linked. It also lends to the idea that, while drugs can help in schizophrenia
cases, the discovery of synaptic plasticity protein gives hope that the condition can
greatly improve over time.
Owen, M. J., Sawa, A., & Mortensen, P. B. (2016). Schizophrenia. The Lancet,388(10039), 8697.
doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01121-6
The aim of this article was to discuss schizophrenia, the relationship and overlapping of
symptoms with other psychotic disorders such as bipolar disease, and research into the
link between genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the risk of developing
schizophrenia. The article highlighted the need for additional funding of both the
research into the causes of schizophrenia and the treatment of persons living with this

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disease. The authors concluded that the exact causes of schizophrenia are relatively
unspecific despite genome-wide association studies that have narrowed possible genetic
contributors; however, the relationship between genetic and environmental causes
warrant further research to provide targeted treatment for patients with minimal side
effects. This article would assist me with my paper because it discusses the relationship
between genetics and the environment, a nature versus nurture discussion, if you will. It
will serve to provide another perspective other than just biological.
Rahmani, F., Ranjbar, F., Ebrahimi, H., & Hosseinzadeh, M. (2015). The effects of group
psychoeducational programme on attitude toward mental illness in families of patients
with schizophrenia, 2014. Journal of Caring Science, 4(3), 243-251. doi:
10.15171/jcs.2015.025
The aim of this study was to show the correlation between the education of families of
schizophrenics and improvement of quality of life of the family and the patient. It noted
that the negative attitude of family towards the schizophrenic due to perception and lack
of knowledge toward the disease adversely affected the patients treatment. The study
concluded that family education of schizophrenia lead to a more positive attitude toward
the patient and the disease, greater support for the patient and lower relapse of
schizophrenic episodes in the patient. This study will help me in my paper because it
identifies the need for education of family and care givers with regards to the disease. It
shows that family support is instrumental in the patients adherence to his or her
treatment plan and overall perception of self. Having this support reduces the stress on
the patient; stress has been identified as one of the possible contributors to psychosis.