The Interactionist Approach.

Question 1

Outline- the diathesis stress model

Answer 1

Diathesis= vulnerability (biological)
Stress= a negative psychological experience.
Meehl: SZ is the result of a schizogene and a SZ mother.
Modern diathesis-stress suggest a range of vulnerability factors such as multiple genes, early trauma, and stress.

Question 2

Outline- treatment according to the interactionist model

Answer 2

It accepts both biological and psychological treatments.
In particular they combine antipsychotics and psychological therapies, most commonly CBT (or family therapy) This is increasingly common to do.

Question 3

Evaluation- Evidence for the role of vulnerability and triggers

Answer 3

Tienari et al (2004)

• 19000 children with SZ gene adopted by finish mothers.
• the mothers were assessed on their child rearing skills and rates of SZ were compared to a control group without a genetic risk of SZ.
• high levels of criticism from the mother was linked to development of SZ but only in the group with the SZ gene.
• suggests that both genetic vulnerability and family related stress are important in the development of SZ.
• This is important for the interactionist approach in the belief that it’s both biological and psychological.

Question 4

Evaluation- support for the effectiveness of combination therapies.

Answer 4

Tarrier et al - 315 patients were randomly allocated to a medication + CBT group, medication + support counselling, or a control group.
Results- both groups that weren’t the control showed lower levels of symptoms.
Supports the interactionist approach.