Psychology

It was very interesting and equally disturbing to learn that there might be a scientific link between a pregnant woman, the flu, and schizophrenia.  Pregnant women in their second trimester of pregnancy who contracted a respiratory infection showed that between three and seven of the babies born would likely develop schizophrenia (Mitchell, 2007).  This is most likely due to elevated levels of a chemical called cidacaine.  Scientific studies have been conducted by many universities internationally.  Brown University estimates that 14-20 of babies born to women, who contracted the flu during the second trimester of pregnancy, will likely develop schizophrenia later in their adult lives (Mitchell, 2007).
   
The program is indicative that schizophrenia may be caused by an environmental condition, the flu.  Biological theories could easily explain the existence of schizophrenia, but the psychological theories related to socioculture and behavior both offer explanations as well.  The sociocultural theory of psychology focuses on the influence that society has on ones mental health.  If the pregnancy and flu ideologies are in fact true, then a pregnant woman may have been influenced by family or friends during her pregnancy to place herself in situations that may have made it easier to contract the flu.  The behavior theory of psychology states that an individuals mental health is conditioned through learning and environmental experiences.  The pregnant woman may have learned that it was okay to behave in certain ways when she was not pregnant.  These behaviors may prove to have a detrimental effect on her unborn child.
   
Schizophrenia has always been thought to have a biological link through genetics.  After viewing the program, it brings to light the question of a simple flu or upper respiratory infection with regard to my own family.  While there is no history of major mental illness, there are many young children in the family.  These children will certainly be watched closer.