interactionalist approach Flashcards
what does the interactionalist approach of schizophrenia recognise?
it recognises that there are biological, psychological and societal factors in the development of schizophrenia
what are some examples of biological factors?
genetic factors, neurochemistry, neurological abnormality
what are some examples of psychological factors?
poor interactions within family, how the brain processes information, stress from life events
what are some social factors?
poor living conditions, low status in society, feelings of disconnection from the rest of society
what model does the interactionalist approach use to explain schizophrenia?
the diathesis stress model
how does the diathesis stress model suggest someone develops schizophrenia?
diathesis + stress = schizophrenia
(genetic vulnerability + environmental stress)
how does the diathesis stress model explain the development of schizophrenia?
it is thought that individuals may inherit a genetic vulnerability/predisposition for developing the disorder. today, views of diathesis also incorporate psychological trauma that can alter the developing brain. such vulnerability is thought to be triggered by stressful life events, but this can vary enormously from case to case.
what did Turkington (2006) suggest about the diathesis stress model in treating schizophrenia?
they suggested that practitioners are increasingly treating schizophrenia with both anti-psychotics and CBT. therefore, we cant claim schizophrenia as being purely biological so the interactionalist approach is essential.
where is the interactionalist approach most commonly used?
used more in the UK than US
what is the standard practice of treatment for someone with schizophrenia in the UK?
it is extremely common to treat individuals with a combination of anti-psychotic medication and therapy. drug treatments on their own are becoming rare and psychological treatments alone is extremely rare.
AO3: how is ‘supporting evidence for explaining schizophrenia’ a strength to the interactionalist approach as an explanation of schizophrenia?
Tienari (2004) in his Finnish adoption study looked at child-rearing style (possible stress) in the two groups. the first group was children adopted from mothers with schizophrenia and the second was a control group of adoptees with no risk. they would that child-rearing styles that were highly critical, where there was much conflict, was implicated in the development of schizophrenia, but only in the children who had the genetic vulnerability.
AO3: how is ‘supporting evidence for treating schizophrenia’ a strength to the interactionalist approach as a treatment of schizophrenia?
Tarrier et al (2004) compared a control group (medication only) with 2 experimental groups (one group with medication and CBT, the other group as medication and supporting counselling). the experimental groups both found a greater reduction in symptoms. therefore, such studies found that treatment options are better with an interactionalist approach, however, there was no difference in relapse rates, suggesting it doesn’t decrease the likelihood of having another episode.
AO3: how is ‘reductionism vs holism’ a strength to the interactionalist approach to explaining and treating schizophrenia?
the interactionlaist approach to treating and explaining schizophrenia is the only approach to attempt to take a more holistic view of the disorder. this enables us to understand the complexity of the disorder, and ensure that patients are receiving the very best treatment we can offer them.
AO3: how is ‘reductionism vs holism’ a limitation to the interactionalist approach to explaining and treating schizophrenia?
however, taking a more holistic approach can cause problems too. we don’t fully understand the relative importance of diathesis and relative importance of stress, meaning that neither is fully understood. the exact contribution of each to the development of the disorder is still uncertain. Because the source of the diathesis and the stress is so varied, it is difficult to know where to direct research time and funding in order to find out as much has possible.
