Non - biological Explanation For Schizophrenia: Social Causation

Question 1

The social causation explanation

Answer 1

Claims that schizophrenia is related to social class or environmental stressors, and those from a lower social class are more likely to develop schizophrenia.

Question 2

The Diathesis stress model

Answer 2

May better explain schizophrenia, considering both sides of nature- nurture debates

Question 3

Gottesman

Answer 3

Twin studies do not reveal 100% concordance rates, supporting the claim that there must an environments - be cause, to some extent

Question 4

Dohrenwend

Answer 4

Claimed that schizophrenia is more common in low income groups than higher income groups, which supports the social class hypothesis in non-biological explanation for schizophrenia.

Question 5

However →

Answer 5

Not all individuals experiencing environmental stressors or from low social class backgrounds develop schizophrenia, suggesting there must be other cases and that such factors are triggers rather than causes

Question 6

Diagnosis issue

Answer 6

Individuals without jobs or in lower status jobs are more likely to seek diagnosis (e.g. Easier to take time off work to visit doctors). Individuals in lower class groups are identified by the police and social services. Middle class individuals might not want to seek diagnosis due to fear of being labelIed.

Question 7

Reductionist

Answer 7

Does not take into consideration the role of the neurotransmitters or genetic factors. However, by highlighting a social cause, it has led to the development of social-based care in the community treatments for schizophrenia, such as assertive community therapy which focuses upon helping patients with their independence and social functioning