Genotype - refers to the unobservable genetic contitution of an individual. Fixed at birth, genotype is a person's genetic makeup and contitutes his/her inherited genes.
While the genetic makeup is fixed at birth, genotype is not a static entity. Genes responsible for the various aspects of development switch on and off at specific times. The genetic programming is very flexible. This means that they respond significantly to all the things that happen around us.
Phenotype - refers to those characteristics like stress, anxiety, etc., that are observable. Phenotype is the combination of genotype and environment
Twin studies have shown that mental disorders are disorders of the phenotype, not of the genotype.
For instance, only the genotype for a disorder can be inherited; not the disorder itself. Whether or not these disorders manifest into behaviours depends on individual experiences and the environment.
In other words, diathesis or the predisposition is inherited, not the disorder itself.
Why is this information useful?
Let's say for instance that A's family has a history of depression. Does it mean that A and his kids will become victims of depression at some point of time?
This is not fixed in stone - they do inherit the predisposition to become depressed. They don't inherit depression. Whether or not they eventually succumb to depression will depend on how they perceive the environment around them and how they react to life events - remember, the genetic programming is flexible not static.
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