What causes schizophrenia? This is an area of great debate. It is probable that there are a number of different causes. The purpose of this writing is to outline some of the different explanations on what causes schizophrenia and to compare these in light of the nature of the evidence found.
             Lefton (2000) suggested that the term schizophrenia came from two Greek words which mean 'split mind', where as the 'spilt aspect refers to the fragmentation of the thought processes.
             Although the exact causes of schizophrenia are not known, it appears that several factors increase a person's risk for the illness. These factors interact with one another to influence the development and the course of schizophrenia (Weinberger & Hirsch , 1995). Although the exact causes of schizophrenia are not known, it appears that the interaction of a number of factors, including genetic factors, complications of pregnancy and delivery that may affect the developing brain, and biological and social stresses, play a role in the development of the illness (Weinberger & Hirsch , 1995).
             Scientists are studying genetic factors in schizophrenia, although is has not been proven beyond doubt that schizophrenia is a disease entity which has just one single cause, but has a range of causes (Jackson, 1960). This is sometimes why schizophrenia is referred to as "schizophrenic psychoses" (Jackson, 1960). The evidence for genetic causes has been obtained through many family and twin studies (Jackson, 1960). Weinberger and Hirsch (1995) suggested that People who have a close relative with schizophrenia are more likely to develop the disorder than are people who have no relatives with the illness. For example, a monozygotic (identical) twin of a person with schizophrenia has the highest risk – 40 to 50 percent – of developing the illness. A child whose parent has schizophrenia has about a 10 percent chance. By comparison, the r
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