The Interactionist Approach

Question 1

What does the interactionist approach argue?

Answer 1

Biological and psychological factors cause SZ.

Question 2

What is the diathesis stress model?

Answer 2

A model which proposes that a vulnerability and a negative experience cause SZ.

Question 3

What biological factors may act as a risk factor to SZ?

Answer 3

Genes and neurocorrelates

Question 4

What psychological factors may act as a risk factor to SZ?

Answer 4

Family dysfunction and dysfunctional thought processes.

Question 5

What did Read et al find?

Answer 5

Early trauma can change the way your brain develops.
HPA can be made over active and vulnerable to stress.

Question 6

Give an environmental factor that may cause SZ.

Answer 6

Cannabis has an effect on your dopamine system - users more likely to experience SZ symptoms.

Question 7

Outline Meehl’s model

Answer 7

1. ‘Diathesis’ is entirely genetic- there is a schizogene.
2. Results in schizotypic personality.
3. One trait is sensitivity to stress.
4. No amount of stress can cause SZ in someone who doesn’t have the gene.

Question 8

Give 2 strengths of the interactionist approach.

Answer 8

1. Research support.
   Tienari et al: children who received high levels of criticism + low levels of empathy has an increased risk of SZ when they had a genetic vulnerability.
   Shows combination causes SZ.
2. Approach may be better for individual differences.
   In monozygotic twins, there are cases where only one twin develops SZ.
   Shows diathesis stress model is best to explain this.

Question 9

What is a further strength of the interactionist approach?

Answer 9

3. Useful implications for treatment of SZ.
   Combined treatment of CBT and drug therapy found to be most effective.
   Shows treating both bio and psycho factors may be most effective.