Psychological Explanation

Question 1

Family dysfunction

Answer 1

Emphasises the idea of childhood upbringing in particular trauma, stressing the importance of how maladaptive family relationships and poor communication within the household

Question 2

Schizophrenogenic mother

Answer 2

• Mother lacks the necessary emotional warmth with their children
• Mother blamed for development of the disorder

Question 3

Double-bind hypothesis

Answer 3

Confusing and contradicting situations that children may find themselves in. One or both parents are unable to provide for the child or threaten to withdraw financial or basic physical care

Question 4

High expressed emotion

Answer 4

Families reaction to a deteriorating mental state can have a huge affect on prognosis. Hostility or non tolerant behaviour that the family member believes may help can actually cause relapse

Question 5

Research to support

Answer 5

Lidz et al (1965) = 50 schizophrenic patients and investigated family background. 90% had seriously disturbed families. 60% had one or more parents with a serious personality disorder

Question 6

Socially sensitive

Answer 6

Offensive

Question 7

Cause and effect

Answer 7

Difficult to establish, high expressed emotion

Question 8

Alternative explanations

Answer 8

Biological approach - more scientific