Characteristics and Measurement

Question 1

Characteristics of schizophrenia

Answer 1

Schizophrenia literally means “split mind”.
It covers a wide range of areas: biological, individual and social.
Characteristics are in two categories: positive and negative.
Positive (type 1) - hallucinations, delusions and disordered thinking.
Negative (type 2) - lack of emotion, lack of interest.

Question 2

Positive

Answer 2

They are in excess of the norm. 
Disordered thinking/behaviour.
Hallucination - hearing voices.
Delusion - false behaviour. 
Psychomotor - repetition - rocking back and forth. 

Kathryn Lewandowski
20% of all schizophrenics suffer from tactile hallucinations. e.g. formication (ants under the skin).

Question 3

Negative

Answer 3

Absence of normal thought.
Lack of emotion - “speech poverty”.
Catatonic behaviour - repetitive or none.
Disinterest - “avolition”, lack of motivation.
No emotion expressed - “anhedonia” (the flat effect).

Question 4

DSM - IV

Answer 4

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - Edition 4.

Question 5

ICD - 10

Answer 5

International Classification of Disease - Edition 10.

Question 6

Diagnosis

Answer 6

Psychologists use DSM and ICD to diagnose a patient with schizophrenia. The latter is also used by WHO (World Health Organisation).
The DSM states that patients must show at least 2 of: delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech and at least one of them have to be present for at least 6 months, with one month of active symptoms.

Question 7

Harrison et al.

Answer 7

Of the view that there are problems with reliability with the measurement.
America v. UK - USA in 1930s, studies illustrated that approximately 20% of the population were schizophrenic, but by the 1960s it was 80%.
UK, 1960s - 20%.
Supported by Loring and Powell.

Question 8

Roseham

Answer 8

Schizophrenia is the loss of motivation (avolition).
Avolition can also be seen in depression.
One characteristic covers two illnesses - comorbidity.

Question 9

Slater

Answer 9

Covers hallucinations.
They are not exclusive to schizophrenia.
In his view, hallucinations are the least important characteristics.

Question 10

Loring and Powell

Answer 10

Schizophrenia is more common in males.

Question 11

OCHOA et al.

Answer 11

Men develop schizophrenia for earlier than women.
Even after treatment men will suffer more relapses.
They have fewer remissions.
Anti-psychotic drugs are less effective on men.