Evaluation of Social Causation Hypothesis and SZ

Question 1

+ Hjem (link)

Answer 1

Hjem et al. demonstrated a correlational link between social adversity in childhood and SZ - validates social adversity as a factor in SZ. HOWEVER, does not establish cause and effect

Question 2

+ National cohort study, Sweden

Answer 2

An ongoing national cohort study in Sweden demonstrates convincingly that social adversity in childhood is associated with an increased risk of developing SZ - validates social adversity as a factor in SZ

Question 3

• More early childhood experiences

Answer 3

Research evidence suggests that the tendency for SZ comes from what happens to someone during their early childhood rather than developing because of lower socioeconomic status - refutes idea that status leads to SZ

Question 4

• ‘Social drift’

Answer 4

Some researchers refute the ‘social causation’ hypothesis, preferring the explanation of ‘social drift’. It had been found that SZ men are often of lower social class than their fathers, suggesting their conditions had caused them to be downwardly mobile (e.g. symptoms may have interfered with educational attainment) - low socioeconomic status may be the result of SZ, and not the cause

Question 5

• Hard to separate causal and caused factors

Answer 5

It is hard to separate those factors which might be causing SZ with those that are being caused by SZ - it may be that low class, economic status, and the lack of a job are all consequences of the disorder - difficult to establish cause and effect

Question 6

• Ignores genetics

Answer 6

Social causation ignores genetic factors - reductionist explanation of SZ