non biological explanation for sz - social causation hypothesis

Question 1

what is the social causation hypothesis?

Answer 1

• the idea that the human world (your environment) acts as a majour cause of schizophrenia, or at least precipitates relapse in those who already have a diagnosis
• environmental risk factors: social adversity, urbanicity, social isolatin and immigration and/or minority group status

Question 2

social adversity

Answer 2

• exposure to hardship as a result of social circumstances
• members of the lower socioeconomic groups are much more likely to be diagnosed wih schizophrenia

Question 3

urbanicity

Answer 3

the impact of living in urban areas at a given time

Question 4

social isolation

Answer 4

lack of social contacts and having few people to interact with regularly

Question 5

why might living in urban areas increase the risk of schizophrenia?

Answer 5

• [Eaton] social stress: urban environmnts have higher levels of social stress such as overcrowding social crowding and economic inequality
  environmental pollution: cities tend to have higher levels of pollultion and exposure to these environmental factors may negatively affect brai development

Question 6

what is the social defeat hypothesis?

Answer 6

the hypothesis stating negative experience of being excluded from the majority group (i.e. social exclusion) leads to sensitization and/or increased baseline activity of the mesolimbic dopamine system and thereby to an increased risk of schizophrenia or psychosis

Question 7

immigration and minority status

Answer 7

• migrants and ethnic minorities have high rates of schizophrenia, probably due to social stress and the lack of aocial connection
• [Boydell] - first and second generation immigrants are at greater risk ofschizophrenia than the general population, implying that the marginalisation of outgroups may leave people vulnerable to schizophrenia