Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Psychology - Paper 3 > Schizophrenia > Flashcards

Schizophrenia Flashcards

(68 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What symptoms are used to diagnose schizophrenia?

A

DELUSIONS
HALLUCINATIONS
DISOGANISED SPEECH
Must have one of those three symptoms.
CATONIC BEHAVIOUR
NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS e.g. affective flattening or avolition
Must have two or more of these symptoms present

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are delusions (false beliefs)?

A

Bizarre beliefs that seem real to the person with schizophrenia but they are not real

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is speech poverty?

A

Lessening of speech fluency and productivity, reflecting slow or blocked thoughts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are hallucinations (false perceptions)?

A

Bizarre unreal perceptions of the environment that are usually auditory (hearing voices) but may also be visual

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is avolition?

A

The reduction of, or inability to initiate and persist in goal directed behaviour. Lack of motivation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

A

Hallucinations, delusions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

A

Speech poverty, avolition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is reliability in terms of a schizophrenia diagnosis?

A

The CONSISTENCY of a measuring tool (The DSM) or other tests used in diagnosis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is test-retest reliability in terms of a schizophrenia diagnosis?

A

Doctors must be able to reach the same conclusions about a patient at two different points in time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is inter-rater reliability in terms of a schizophrenia diagnosis?

A

Extent to which different assessors agree on their diagnosis. Doctors need to reach the same conclusions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is some research that limits inter-rater reliability?

A

Cheniaux - Had 2 psychiatrist independently diagnose 100 patients using the DSM and ICD criteria. Doctor 1 diagnosed 26 patients with schizophrenia according to DSM and 44 according to ICD. Doctor 2 diagnosed 13 according to DSM and 24 according to ICD. Demonstrates inter-rater reliability of classification systems are subjective to interpretations of doctors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the evaluation for reliability?

A

Cultural differences in diagnosis - e.g hearing voices is good in some cultures but not others

Rosenhan - 8 pseudopatients to hospitals, claimed hearing voices saying ‘empty’, ‘hollow’, ‘thud’. After admission act normal. Lacks reliability as different hospitals gave inconsistent diagnosis
Lacks temporal validity as used out of date criteria for illness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is validity in terms of a schizophrenia diagnosis?

A

The extent to which the classification of schizophrenia is an ACCURATE reflection of the illness the patient is suffering from.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is symptom overlap?

A

2 or more disorders share some of the symptoms need for a classification. Decreases validity and and results in misclassification

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is co-morbidity?

A

Presence of two different disorders at the same time. Difficult to separate out the symptoms. Lacks validity and results in misclassification

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the evaluation of validity?

A

Gender bias - may prevent schizophrenia being valid because diagnostic criteria often based off males and leads to misdiagnosis of females - Loring Powell - 56% psychiatrists gave male diagnosis only 20% gave females with same criteria

Rosenhan - 8 pseudopatients to hospitals, claimed hearing voices saying ‘empty’, ‘hollow’, ‘thud’. After admission act normal.
Lacks validity because psychiatrists misdiagnosed healthy individuals as having schizophrenia
Lacks temporal validity as used out of date criteria for illness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What genes are involved in the development of schizophrenia?

A

PCMI, PPP3CC AND NRG-1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How do family studies show that schizophrenia is more common in biological relatives?

A

Gottesman - 2 biological schizophrenic parents meant children had a concordance rate of 46%. 1 schizophrenic parent = 13% and siblings = 9%. Compared to 1% in general population.
SMALL SAMPLE

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How do adoption studies show that schizophrenia is more common in biological relatives?

A

Separate genetics and environment.
Tienari - Of 164 adoptees with biological schizophrenic mothers, 6.7% diagnosed with schizophrenia. Of 197 control adoptees only 2% diagnosed. HOWEVER small sample

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the evaluation of genetics as a biological explanation for schizophrenia?

A

Biological determinism - no free will, pre-determined risk of schizophrenia leading to negative attitudes
Nature vs nurture - Suggest nature HOWEVER monozygotic twins should have 100% concordance but don’t meaning should take interactionist approach
Methodological weakness - unrepresentative samples issues with reliability and generalisability

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the role of dopamine in biologically explaining schizophrenia?

A

Dopamine neurotransmitter believed to be involved in development of schizophrenia. Important in many brain systems with a link to schizophrenia e.g. movement pathways, brain reward system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is hyperdopaminergia?

A

High dopamine levels in sub-cortex. Excess dopamine receptors in Broca’s area (speech production) which may be associated with speech poverty and auditory hallucinations. Mesolimbic pathway

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is hypodopaminergia?

A

Reduction of activity in brain cortex. Low levels of dopamine in prefrontal cortex (responsible for thinking and decision making) may result in schizophrenic symptoms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the evaluation for the dopamine hypothesis?

A

Practical application - base for anti-psychotic drugs. Leucht study
Research support - seeman and kapur. Schizophrenia = more dopamine receptors
Biological reductionism - strength as allowed development of treatments

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is Leuchts study?
Meta analysis of 65 studies involving 6000 patients. Some had placebo others had either typical or atypical drugs. Within 12 months, 64% on placebo relapsed compared to 37% on normal
26
What is Seeman and Kapurs research?
Post Morten examination - schizophrenic patients had more dopamine receptors in their brain. Supports biological approach as provide explanation for schizophrenia
27
What are the two types of drug therapy?
Typical and atypical antipsychotics
28
What are typical antipsychotics?
First generation drugs
29
How do typical antipsychotics work?
Reduce effects of dopamine and therefore reduce symptoms of schizophrenia. Block dopamine (D2) receptors in synapse - 75% of D2 receptors in mesolimbic pathway must be blocked. Side effects occur Reduce positive symptoms
30
What are atypical antipsychotics?
Second generation drugs
31
What do atypical antipsychotics do?
Target dopamine and serotonin (D2) receptors but then unbind and reduce side effects Beneficial effect on cognitive impairment and negative symptoms as well as positive symptoms Evidence they reduce depression and anxiety
32
What is the evaluation of drug therapies?
Research support - Leucht demonstrates the drugs have an impact Side effects from typical antipsychotics- dizziness, agitation, tardive dyskinesia (involuntary facial movements) Nature - looks at biological factors not stress or trauma
33
What is the psychological explanation for schizophrenia and what are its sub groups?
Family dysfunction - schizophrenic mothers, double bind theory, expressed emotion
34
What does family dysfunction suggest?
That schizophrenia is caused by abnormal patterns of communication within the family
35
What does schizophrenogenic mothers suggest?
Patients with schizophrenia describe a particular type of parent - cold, uncaring, rejecting. Lead to atmosphere of district and development of paranoid thoughts - delusions
36
What is the double bind theory?
People with schizophrenia report more double bind communication in childhood e.g. that’s a really good painting but doesn’t look. Contradictory message often between verbal and non-verbal. Create own reality to make sense of the paradox
37
What is expressed emotion?
Level of emotion that is expressed towards patient e.g. hostility, criticism, emotional over involvement. High levels of EE likely to cause relapse - 4x more likely if family high EE. Patients have low tolerance for intense interactions
38
What is the evaluation for family dysfunction
Inconclusive support - of schizophrenogenic mothers and double bind theory. Not systematic evidence . Fail to establish link Social sensitivity - useful in showing insecure attachment and childhood trauma affect vulnerability - parent blamed, unfair judgement and negative attitudes Nurture vs nature - fail to explain why not all children in dysfunctional families develop schizophrenia. More likely predisposed combined with unhealthy family
39
What are the cognitive explanations of schizophrenia?
Dysfunctional thought processing Meta representation leads to hallucinations Central control- dysfunction leads to speech poverty
40
What is dysfunctional thought processing?
Symptoms arise due to faulty information processing e.g. perception, attention and memory leads to distorted thinking. Suggested link to dysfunction in specific brain areas e.g. prefrontal cortex which affects reasoning and decision making
41
How does meta representation lead to hallucinations?
Ability to reflect upon thoughts, emotions and intentions. Dysfunction can lead to hallucinations and delusions of control - controlled by external forces. Auditory hallucinations
42
What is central control and how does dysfunction lead to speech poverty?
Central control - ability to suppress automatic response and maintain a coherent train of thought. Dysfunction - speech poverty and disorganized speech, difficulty filtering out irrelevant thoughts leading to jumping between topics
43
What is CBT?
Helps patient identify and correct faulty interpretations (delusions, hallucinations) of events and help establish links between their thoughts, feelings or actions. Alternate ways of explains why they behave the way they do which reduces distress and improve functioning
44
What is a proximal explanation?
Explains what is happening now
45
What is a distal explanation?
Previous experiences such as genetics and family dysfunction
46
What is cognitive behaviour therapy?
Helps patient identify and correct faulty interpretations (delusions and hallucinations) of events and help establish links between their thoughts, feelings or actions
47
What is the function of cognitive behaviour therapy?
Alternate ways of explaining why they behave the way they do. Reduce distress and improve functioning
48
What is the evaluation of cognitive behaviour therapy?
Appropriateness - Kingdon and Kirschen - CBT not suitable for all patients as some too paranoid to form trusting alliances. Would hinder recovery which challenges the appropriateness of the treatment Ideographic - treatment tailored to individual experiences which adresses unique delusions and coping strategies. Enhance relevance and engagement which increases effectiveness however limits generalisability
49
Why is family therapy used?
Support for caters to male family life less stressful. Encourage problem solving and communication skills
50
What is expressed emotion in relation to family therapy?
Relapse more common in families with high levels of criticism, hostility or over-involvement
51
What is Garety’s research into family therapy?
Found relapse for individuals who receive family therapy is 25% compared to 50% for those who receive antipsychotic treatment only
52
What is the evaluation of family therapy?
Effectiveness - Pharaoh - 53 studies published between 2002-2010, found FT reduced relapse rates and enhanced relationships as well as lowering stress Social sensitivity - Address family dynamic which may cause distress, blame and tension. Delivery sensitively to prevent harm
53
How may token economies help the quality of life for patients?
Enhance daily experiences using positive reinforcement. Increases motivation, engagement and independence
54
How may token economies normalise behaviours?
Help patients develop habits that align with real world expectations which provides a smoother transition when moving back into community living
55
What is the fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement?
Reinforcement provided every time
56
In a token economy what would the primary reinforcers be?
The reward e.g. sweets, day trips, films
57
In a token economy what would the secondary reinforcer be?
The tokens which can be exchanged for the reward
58
What is the evaluation of token economies?
Ethical issues Not generalisable Research support - Glowacki
59
How does a token economy suffer from ethical issues?
Patients do not consent and cannot withdraw Seen as patients reduced to lab rats Issues with who decides which behaviours are worthy of rewards
60
Why is a token economy not generalisable beyond a hospital setting?
Target behaviours cannot be monitored closely and tokens cannot be administered immediately HOWEVER Helps people get out of hospital who would otherwise be unable to
61
How does Glowacki's research support token economies as effective management for schizophrenia?
Meta analysis of 7 TE studies All showed decreased negative symptoms Decrease in frequency in undesirable behaviours - violence and aggression HOWEVER Only small evidence base
62
What is the diathesis stress model in relation to schizophrenia?
Sees schizophrenia as a combination of biological and psychological influences Symptoms triggered when significant stress is combined with biological predisposition
63
How is diathesis linked to schizophrenia?
MZ twins higher concordance rate than DZ twins However in 50% of cases the identical twin doesn't develop it Discordance demonstrates environmental impact as well as biological
64
How is stress linked with schizophrenia?
Stressors may trigger schizophrenia (childhood trauma, stresses of urbanised living, family dysfunction) Severe trauma before 16yrs old - 3x more likely to develop schizophrenia
65
What is Tienari's research and how does it support the diathesis stress model?
303 Finnish adoptees Some had biological schizophrenic mothers and others did not Adoptive families assessed for family dysfunction Results showed genetic risk alone did not predict schizophrenia but when paired with dysfunctional family environment lead to a more significant risk of development
66
What is an interactionist treatment used to treat schizophrenia?
Combine anti-psychotic medication with psychological therapy Anti-psychotics - reduce hallucinations and delusions CBT - help patients challenge delusions, develop coping strategies and improve functioning
67
What are the evaluation points for the diathesis stress model?
Research support - Tienari Nature vs nurture - Plomin Reductionist - diathesis not simply genetic and stress is subjective
68
How is the diathesis stress model limited by Plomin's research?
Nature can effect nurture Suggests genetic has a 'passive influence' on parental behaviour and creates a particular environment where their children are raised e.g. schizophrenic mothers - double bind and unsettling environment caused by biology

Psychology - Paper 3 (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions