Interactionalist Approach AO1 Flashcards
1
Q
What is the interactional approach based around?
A
the diathesis stress model
2
Q
Who created the first version of the diathesis stress model?
A
Meehl
3
Q
Describe the diathesis stress model.
in the context of Schizophrenia
A
- the idea that Schziophrenia is caused by the interactions between biological factors and the environment
- for example genes found in Schizophrenics that cause them to show Schizophrenic personality traits when in stressful conditions
4
Q
What are the biological factors that can cause Schizophrenia according to the diathesis stress model?
A
- according to Meehl a gene (called a Schizogene) causes Schizophrenia
- more recently Ripke et al suggests multiple genes causes Schizophrenia (not just one Schizogene)
- Read et al suggest that trauma (stressor) can alter the brains developement causing SChizophrenia
5
Q
What are the environmental factors that can cause Schizophrenia according to the diathesis stress model?
A
- anything that causes stress (stressors)
- for example the use of cannabis
6
Q
How does altering the brain’s developement cause schizophrenia
A
Hypothalamic pituitary arenal (HPA) system can become ober active, making a Schizophrenic more vulnerable to stress
7
Q
Explain why cannabis is a stressor for schizophrenia.
A
- it increases the risk of developing schizophrenia by up to 7 times
- this is because it interferes with the dopamine system, which according to the dopamine hypothesis causes Schziophrenia
8
Q
Describe Ripke’s study that shows how there are multiple genes that could cause Schizophrenia.
A
- he conducted a genome wide study on 5001 Swedish nationals with schizophrenia compared to 6243 controls
- through this he found 8300 candate genes that each represent a variable that increases the likelihood of developing schizophrenia
- this therefore shows that schizophrenia is polygenic disorder
