SZ - Essay Plan Practice Flashcards
(18 cards)
What does the interactionist approach to schizophrenia propose?
It suggests that schizophrenia results from an interaction between biological factors (e.g. genetics, neurotransmitter dysfunction) and psychological or environmental stressors (e.g. trauma, cannabis use), rather than one single cause.
What is the diathesis-stress model?
This model explains schizophrenia as the result of a genetic vulnerability (diathesis) interacting with a stressful life event (stress), which together trigger the onset of the disorder.
What was Meehl’s original diathesis-stress model?
Meehl proposed that schizophrenia was caused by a single schizogene, and that a person with this gene would only develop the disorder if exposed to a major psychological stressor, such as a schizophrenogenic mother.
How has the model been updated in modern psychology?
Modern models reject the idea of a single schizogene and instead recognise multiple genetic and biological vulnerabilities, alongside a broader range of stressors, such as childhood abuse or cannabis use.
How does the interactionist model influence treatment?
It supports a combination of biological and psychological therapies—particularly using antipsychotic medication alongside CBT. This is supported by Turkington et al., who advocate for integrated treatment approaches.
What research supports the interactionist approach?
Tienari et al. (2004) found that children with a genetic predisposition (biological mothers with schizophrenia) were more likely to develop the disorder only if raised in dysfunctional families. This supports the interaction between diathesis (genes) and stress (environment), providing strong validity for the model.
How does treatment evidence support the interactionist approach?
Tarrier et al. (2004) found that patients receiving a combination of CBT and antipsychotic medication showed greater symptom reduction than those receiving either treatment alone. This shows the practical value of the interactionist model, which leads to more effective, integrated treatment plans.
What is a limitation of the model in terms of causality?
It is difficult to determine whether the ‘stress’ causes schizophrenia or is a consequence of early symptoms—for example, losing a job may be a result of developing schizophrenia rather than a cause. This weakens the model’s scientific validity, as it’s hard to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship.
Is the interactionist model consistently applied in healthcare systems?
No. While the UK often combines medication with CBT (reflecting the interactionist approach), in places like the US, treatment is often purely biological. This limits the model’s real-world influence, as application varies depending on healthcare systems and training.
What does the interactionist approach to schizophrenia propose?
It suggests that schizophrenia results from an interaction between biological factors (e.g. genetics, neurotransmitter dysfunction) and psychological or environmental stressors (e.g. trauma, cannabis use), rather than one single cause.
What is the diathesis-stress model?
This model explains schizophrenia as the result of a genetic vulnerability (diathesis) interacting with a stressful life event (stress), which together trigger the onset of the disorder.
What was Meehl’s original diathesis-stress model?
Meehl proposed that schizophrenia was caused by a single schizogene, and that a person with this gene would only develop the disorder if exposed to a major psychological stressor, such as a schizophrenogenic mother.
How has the model been updated in modern psychology?
Modern models reject the idea of a single schizogene and instead recognise multiple genetic and biological vulnerabilities, alongside a broader range of stressors, such as childhood abuse or cannabis use.
How does the interactionist model influence treatment?
It supports a combination of biological and psychological therapies—particularly using antipsychotic medication alongside CBT. This is supported by Turkington et al., who advocate for integrated treatment approaches.
What research supports the interactionist approach?
Tienari et al. (2004) found that children with a genetic predisposition (biological mothers with schizophrenia) were more likely to develop the disorder only if raised in dysfunctional families. This supports the interaction between diathesis (genes) and stress (environment), providing strong validity for the model.
How does treatment evidence support the interactionist approach?
Tarrier et al. (2004) found that patients receiving a combination of CBT and antipsychotic medication showed greater symptom reduction than those receiving either treatment alone. This shows the practical value of the interactionist model, which leads to more effective, integrated treatment plans.
What is a limitation of the model in terms of causality?
It is difficult to determine whether the ‘stress’ causes schizophrenia or is a consequence of early symptoms—for example, losing a job may be a result of developing schizophrenia rather than a cause. This weakens the model’s scientific validity, as it’s hard to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship.
Is the interactionist model consistently applied in healthcare systems?
No. While the UK often combines medication with CBT (reflecting the interactionist approach), in places like the US, treatment is often purely biological. This limits the model’s real-world influence, as application varies depending on healthcare systems and training.
