Clinical: Non-Biological Explanations (Sz) Flashcards
What is the social causation theory?
The view that the environment around you is a major cause of schizophrenia
How can social adversity lead to a higher risk of developing schizophrenia?
The environment you grow up in can affect your risk of developing mental health conditions like Sz. People from lower socioeconomic groups may not be able to access treatment for Sz potentially exacerbating their problems.
How can urban environments affect your risk of developing schizophrenia?
Positive correlation between urban living and schizophrenia.
Eaton suggested that the high stress environment of urban dwelling may trigger schizophrenia = increased population density makes life more competitive and may elicit schizophrenia symptoms.
How can immigration and minority status affect your risk of developing schizophrenia?
First and second generation immigrants are at higher risk of developing schizophrenia than general population, this decrease when the number of minority increases. Suggesting that marginalisation of our groups may leave people vulnerable to schizophrenia.
What is the supporting evidence of the social causation explanation?
A study found that people living urban in urban environments were 2x more likely to develop schizophrenia than in rural areas
What is the opposing evidence of the social causation explanation of schizophrenia?
Correlational not causation.
May be other links to why low socio-economic groups are more likely to develop schizophrenia.
What is the different theory to the social causation explanation?
Neurotransmitter explanation:
High levels of dopamine have been proven to inhibit schizophrenic like symptoms. Again this is correlational but it can be studied with better control.
What is the application of the social causation theory?
Draws attention to factors that affect mental health:
Projects to increase social cohesion should help develop a collective social responsibility of our mental health.
