In order for a disorder such as schizophrenia to be classed as genetic, it must first be proven to be inherited through family members of blood relation; studies to map the possibilities of genetic involvement include that of Kendler, Masterson and Davies (1985) and Sherrington et al (1988), within this essay both groups work will be consulted, however due to the similarities in each' work and the virtually identical findings it is hard to determine and reference boundaries between the two and so an attempt to do this will not be made.

The term schizophrenia was introduced into the medical language at the beginning of the last century by the Swiss psychiatrist Bleuler. It refers to a major mental disorder, or group of disorders, whose causes are still largely unknown and which involves a complex set of disturbances of thinking, perception, affect and social behavior.

So far, no society or...