Interactionist approach to explaining and treating Sz

Question 1

What does interactionist approach mean?

Answer 1

-accounting for combined effect of biological, psychological and social factors in development of Sz and using these to find treatment

Question 2

Explaining sz with interactionist approach:

Answer 2

• diathesis stress model used:
  both internal (diathesis) vulnerability to sz and external negative, trigger (stress) are necessary in order to develop the disorder

-many different genes can increase genetic vulnerability (can include psychological trauma)

• stress doesn’t just have to be caused by parenting, trauma, can be any negative experience e.g. cannabis, divorce

Question 3

Treating sz with interactionist approach

Answer 3

-combine medication with psychological therapy eg. CBT or family therapy

Question 4

A03- strengths of approach

Answer 4

• practical applications- Tarrier:
  - compared 315 patients who either
  A) meds + CBT
  B) meds + counselling
  C) meds
• in combined trials showed less symptoms after
• evidence to support
  
  • Tienari (19,000 finish adopted children)- high risk as bio mothers had sz
• found high levels of criticism from adoptive parents strongly associated with development
  
  • supports as suggests combination

Question 5

A03- weakness of approach

Answer 5

Issue with treatment-aetiology fallacy
- saying successful treatment justifies explanation is illogical
E.g. alcohol reduces shyness, so shyness must be caused by a lack of alcohol
- lacks validity in explaining sz

-limited in usefulness don’t know what trigger sz- medication or therapy most useful?