Schizophrenia - Social Psychological Explanation - Dysfunctional Families Flashcards
(11 cards)
What is the double bind theory?
Explains schizophrenia as being a consequence of abnormal patterns of communication with the families of schizophrenics.
What did Bateson (1956) say about the double bind theory?
Families of schizophrenics communicate in a destructively ambiguous fashion, which leads children unable to respond logically to others.
What are some examples of destructively ambitious communication styles?
A mother will tell a child they love them in a tone of voice that does not suggest love
What does destructively ambiguous communication styles lead to in relation to the child?
Leaves the child in a double bind, as they are receiving two separate messages which contradict one another. Whatever the child does, ignores or responds, they cannot win.
How does Bateson (1956) describe the development of schizophrenic symptoms as a result of these double bind statements?
Positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions develop as an escape from reality from this conflict. Negative symptoms such as flatness of effect and anhedonia develop as a result of the consistent confusion.
What is expressed emotion?
A family communication style where family members of a schizophrenic talk to or about the patient in a critical manner that indicates emotional over-involvement.
What did Brown (1959) suggest that supports the presence of expressed emotion in families of schizophrenics?
Schizophrenic patients who were returning to a family with high levels of expressed emotion were more likely to relapse.
What did Brown (1959) identify as the five components of expressed emotion?
Critical Comments
Hostility
Emotional over-involvement
Lack of warmth
Lack of positive regard
Evaluate the dysfunctional families explanation of schizophrenia using Berger (1960) supporting evidence.
A strength the double bind theory is that there is empirical supporting research. Berger (1960) interviewed schizophrenics and found they recalled a higher rate of double bind statements by their mothers than in non schizophrenic
Evaluate the dysfunctional families explanation of schizophrenia using practical applications.
A strength of the double bind theory is that the practical applications of this theory are successful, then the theory itself must be somewhat accurate.
Evaluate the dysfunctional families explanation of schizophrenia using cause and effect.
A limitation of the double bind theory is that it is based on a purely nurture stance based off communication styles with family members, ignoring possible biological factors such as genetic inheritance and a better explanation may include an interactionist viewpoint, considering both.
