Interactionist approach to schizophrenia

Question 1

The interactionist approach

Answer 1

An approach that recognises a variety of contributing factors in the development of schizophrenia; Biological(genetic vuln, dopamine hypothesis), psychological(stress), social factors.

Question 2

Diathesis stress model

Answer 2

Diathesis = vulnerability. Stress = negative experience
Both are needed to develop the condition. Needs to be triggered by a stressor

Question 3

DSM- Meehls Model(1962)

Answer 3

Vulnerability entirely genetic.
Schizogene= schizotypic personality-sensitive to stress
Chronic stress in childhood = schizophrenia
No schizogene—> no sensitivity to stress—> no schizophrenia

Question 4

DSM-modern understanding

Answer 4

Ripke- schizophrenia is polygenic
Vulnerability (diathesis) can be caused by psychological trauma. Read-Early trauma (child abuse) could even alter the developing brain

Question 5

DSM-modern understanding of stress

Answer 5

Originally stress was seen as psychological in nature-particularly parenting
now considered anything that risks triggering schizophrenia -Houston -using cannabis-seven times more likely to develop schizophrenia as cannabis is a stressor

Question 6

Treatment according to the interactionist approach

Answer 6

Combining antipsychotics and CBT.
Turkington -adopting an interactionist model -possible to believe in biological causes of SZ and still practice CBT to relieve psychological symptoms.
Can’t tell people their condition is purely biological then treat with CBT .
Medication accompanying psychological treatment is more common in the UK than the US .

Question 7

Supporting evidence

Answer 7

Dual role of vulnerability and stress
Tienari-genetic vulnerability and parenting style.
Children adopted from 19,000 finish mothers with schizophrenia between 1960 and 1979 . Adoptive parents assessed for parenting style and compared to control group.
High criticism and conflict, low empathy—> development of schizophrenia in high risk adoptees
Suggests genetic vulnerability and family related stress can contribute to the onset of schizophrenia

Question 8

Overly simplistic

Answer 8

The idea of a single schizogene with stress of schizophrenic parenting is very simplistic
Ripke-polygenic and stress comes in many forms not just dysfunctional parenting.
Houston -sexual abuse in childhood is a major influence on underlying variability to schizophrenia.
Cannabis usage is a major trigger
Support the modern day stress DSM

Question 9

Real world application

Answer 9

Combination of biological and psychological treatments enhances their effectiveness in treating SZ
Tarrier-315 participants 1) medication and CBT 2) medication and counselling 3) medication only
Combination showed greater reduction in symptom severity
Clear practical advantage of interaction approach

Question 10

Counterpoint

Answer 10

Jarvis and Okami-saying a successful treatment for a mental disorder justifies a particular explanation is a logical error called the treatment causation fallacy.
We can’t automatically assume the success of combined therapies means interactionist explanations are correct.

Question 11

Urbanisation

Answer 11

Schizophrenia is more commonly diagnosed in urban than rural areas. Assumes urban living is more stressful and the city acts as a trigger.