Example IDA’s for sleep disorders - PowerPoint Presentation

1. Example IDA’s for sleep disorders

2. NarcolepsyThis theory could be considered reductionist. This is because it attempts to explain the development of narcolepsy mainly through genetic variations on chromosome 6 (HLA complex). This means that it neglects the influence of psychological and sociocultural variables. However, this may not necessarily be a negative thing. Isolating narcolepsy into a smaller and more specific explanation can allow for more scientific research to help develop our understanding of how and why it occurs. This research can then be used to help those who suffer from narcolepsy, and could help to identify possible treatments.

3. This explanation of narcolepsy could be deemed reductionist, because it suggests that the disorder is caused solely by biological factors, in this case a genetic variation leading to an auto-immune response to the neurotransmitter, hypocretin. It does not explain the environmental conditions needed for the disorder to develop and is therefore likely to be an oversimplified theory. On the other hand, it provides hope for people suffering from narcolepsy because it may eventually lead to an effective treatment or even a cure.

4. InsomniaThe theory links to the nature nurture debate as the predisposing part of the theory emphasises the nature argument towards a genetic predisposition to having insomnia, while the precipitating part focuses on environmental factors such as stress which lead to insomnia. An advantage of looking at both biological and environmental factors associated with insomnia is that the theory has useful practical applications. As biological factors can easily be tested in an experimental and scientific manner, it is likely treatments for insomnia can be produced to prevent the disorder or reduce its symptoms. In addition to this, it also useful to consider environmental factors as we can inform people who suffer from insomnia of the environments that lead could to stress thus increasing likelihood of insomnia.

5. The explanations surrounding this particular sleep disorder incorporates both the nature and nurture side of debate. This can be perceived in a positive light, as it doesn’t ignore aspects of biology or the environment and how this may affect insomnia. The predisposing factors cover the nature side of the debate because, it suggests that insomnia could be genetically predetermined. The precipitating factors cover the nurture side of the debate as they discuss how external, environmental impacts may lead to insomnia. However, this combination of nature and nurture may make creating a methodological setting for studies difficult as it needs to be both scientific (nature) and ethnographic (nurture). Therefore, different studies need to be carried out for different parts of the theory.

6. This theory can be seen as deterministic as on one hand, it suggests that biological factors such as genes play a significant role in predisposing insomnia. However, environmental factors are also acknowledged in precipitating factors and perpetuating factors such as stress and environmental change. The interaction between these factors is what determines the severity of the insomnia, restricting the free will an individual has over the sleep disorder. However, because of the expectation of poor sleep is a perpetual factor the individual is empowered to help their condition by targeting how they feel when they go to sleep; reducing environmental change could also help improve their condition.

7. Sleep-walkingThis theory considers both the perspectives of nature and nurture due to its position as a diathesis stress model. The diathesis element involves the genetic predisposition to sleep walking whilst the stress part considers the environmental causes to the disorder, for example: sleep deprivation. This can be considered useful as it leads to a less reductionist explanation of sleepwalking which could have important implications for the way we treat people who have the disorder. It suggests that although there may be a genetic predisposition, there may be ways in which we can help those affected manage the impact of their biology. Therefore it is a more positive outlook for the individual than if we concentrated on the impact of biology alone.