Schizophrenia: Interactionist Approach

Question 1

what’s the interactionist approach?

Answer 1

a broad approach to explaining SZ, which acknowledges that a range of factors, including biological and psychological factors, may be involved in the development of SZ.

Question 2

what’s the diathesis-stress model?

Answer 2

SZ is explained as a result of both an underlying vulnerability (diathesis) and a trigger, both are necessary for the onset of SZ. both genes and trauma are seen as diatheses and stress.

Question 3

what’s Meehl’s model?

Answer 3

diathesis was entirely genetic, this led to the development of a biologically based schizotypic personality. if 1 person doesn’t have the schizogene then no amount of stress would lead to SZ.

Question 4

what’s the modern understanding of diathesis?

Answer 4

it includes a range of factors beyond the genetics. trauma becomes the diathesis rather than the stressor. Read proposed a neurodevelopmental model where early trauma alters the developing brain.

Question 5

what’s the modern understanding of stress?

Answer 5

research into factors triggering an episode of SZ has concerned cannabis. cannabis is the stressor because it increases the risk of SZ by up to 7 times because cannabis interferes with the dopamine system.

Question 6

what’s treatment according to the interactionist model?

Answer 6

the combination of antipsychotics and CBT. Turkington said it’s possible to believe in biological causes and still practise CBT to relieve psychological symptoms. In Britain, this is more standard. In USA, there’s more conflict between biological and psychological models.

Question 7

what’s evidence for the role of vulnerability and triggers?

Answer 7

Tienari investigated the combination of genetic vulnerability and parenting style in 19,000 adopted Finnish children. their adoptive parents were assessed for child-rearing style and the rate of SZ