Interactionist Approach Flashcards
What is an interactionist approach?
A way to explain the development of behaviour in terms of a range of factors, include both biological and psychological ones.
What is the “diathesis” component
The vulnerability
What is the “stress” component
The trigger.
What was Meehl’s original model of diathesis stress?
That the vulnerability was entirely genetic (schizogene)
Chronic stress through childhood/adolescence e.g SZ mother may trigger SZ.
Why did Meehl’s original model change?
SZ is not just the result of a “schizogene”. SZ is polygenic, with 100s of genetic variations.
What is the modern understanding of the diathesis (vulnerability)?
Many genes may increase genetic vulnerability.
Psychological trauma (becomes the diathesis rather than the stressor).
Early trauma alters the brain (causes the vulnerability).
How does early trauma alter the brain and cause the “diathesis”?
HPA System: Hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal- becomes overactive making a person vulnerable to later stress.
What is the modern understanding of the stress (trigger)?
Originally the “stress” seen as psychological e.g parenting. But, although still important other things also may trigger e.g cannabis use.
How might cannabis trigger SZ?
It increases the risk of SZ by up to 7X due to interfering with the dopamine system.
What treatment would the interactionist approach use?
Drugs and talking therapies.
What did Turkington et al. (2006) say?
It is perfectly possible to believe in a biological cause of Sz and still engage in CBT - but this requires an interactionist approach.
Why might a combination of talking therapies and drugs be better?
In severe cases of Sz it is expected that patients struggle to engage with a talking therapy, if a drug treatment can reduce symptoms it can enhance their ability to engage with psychological therapies, giving sufferers the skills needed to change their faulty cognitions or unhealthy family environments.
General strengths of the interactionist approach?
Was a limited model but the modern model has evolved and is more holistic and thorough, this may be more valid that other explanations.
Houston et al. (2008) childhood sexual abuse is a major influence, with cannabis use being the major trigger.
Supporting research in Tarrier and Gottesman.
Practical applications in the form of effective combined treatment models.
General limitations of the interactionist approach?
The fundamental mechanisms about how stress can trigger biological responses is still unclear. Many complex factors are involved in this response which can be hard to gauge empirically.
Jarvis and Okami (2019) suggest a treatment fallacy in that a successful treatment doesn’t identify the cause - alcohol reduces shyness by we cannot conclude the cause of shyness is a lack of alcohol.
