Interactionism approach in explaining schizophrenia Flashcards
(19 cards)
What do interactionist approaches propose as the cause of schizophrenia?
A combination of psychological and biological factors through the diathesis-stress model.
What is the diathesis-stress model?
The interaction of genetic vulnerability (diathesis) and environmental factors (stress) resulting in the onset of schizophrenia.
Who demonstrated that there is an inherited variance in the chance of attaining schizophrenia?
Gottesman.
What does the diathesis aspect of the model represent?
The genetic chance of inheriting schizophrenia, which can be up to 48% based on relation to a schizophrenic.
What recent idea has been proposed regarding diathesis?
Early trauma for a child can alter brain activity and structure in a developing brain.
What are some simple forms of stress that can cause the onset of schizophrenia?
- Parenting styles (harsh and erratic)
- Cannabis use (increasing chances by up to 7 times)
What two ways does the stress aspect of the model account for vulnerability?
- Life events
- Urbanisation
How do urban environments affect the chances of attaining schizophrenia?
They provide an increased chance compared to rural environments.
What does the interactionist approach suggest for the treatment of schizophrenia?
A combination of biological and psychological treatments.
What are common treatments for schizophrenia according to the interactionist approach?
- Antipsychotic medication (typical and atypical)
- Psychological therapy (commonly CBT)
What was the focus of the research conducted by Tarrier et al (2004)?
The effectiveness of medication combined with CBT or supportive counselling.
What were the findings of Tarrier et al (2004) regarding symptom levels?
Patients in combination groups showed lower symptom levels than those in the control group.
What limitation was noted regarding the treatments in Tarrier et al (2004)?
They may not lower hospital readmissions.
What support did Vassos et al (2012) provide for the interactionist approach?
People were 2.37 times more likely to develop schizophrenia in urban environments.
What did Tienari et al (2004) find regarding genetic influence?
It supports the idea of diathesis stress in adoptees with increased chances in a schizophrenic environment.
What implication does the interactionist approach have on treatments?
Treatment needs to be more holistic rather than using one particular therapy.
True or False: Urban environments are necessarily more stressful than rural environments.
False.
What uncertainty exists regarding the onset of schizophrenia?
One factor may have more influence than others, making it difficult to identify causal stress.
Fill in the blank: The interactionist approach to schizophrenia combines _______ and _______ treatments.
[biological] and [psychological]
