psychological explanation- family dysfunction

Question 1

what is family dysfunction?

Answer 1

suggests that childhood experiences and dynamic of family home like hostility, tension, conflict can trigger/influence SZ

Question 2

3 ideas under family dysfunction?

Answer 2

1. schizophrenic mother
2. double-blind theory
3. expressed emotion

Question 3

what is the schizophrenic mother?

Answer 3

Fromm Reichmann 1948
- certain characteristics of parents: cold, rejecting, controlling, creates family climate of tension + secrecy

Question 4

how does schizophrenic mother lead to SZ?

Answer 4

distrust, paranoid delusions lead to SZ

Question 5

what is the double blind theory?

Answer 5

• mixed messages/signals

Question 6

Bateson et al

Answer 6

• emphasises communication styles
• child recvieve mixed messages whilst growing up and if get things wrong and recieve punishment by parents withdrawing love leads to social withdrawal to escape the situation
• risk factor. not a direct cause

Question 7

how can the situations in double blind lead to SZ?

Answer 7

development of symptoms like delusions and disorganised thinking

Question 8

case study evidence from Bateson?

Answer 8

• recovering SZ visted by mother
• she gave him mixed messages-> he embraced her warmly and she stiffened then said ‘dont you love me anymore?’
• he felt confused and relapsed

Question 9

what is expressed emotion?

Answer 9

when families constantly show negative emotions (criticisms + hostility)

Question 10

elements of expressed emotion?

Answer 10

• verbal criticism - sometimes w violence
• hostility towards child, includes anger
• emotional over-involvement

Question 11

how can expressed emotion lead to SZ?

Answer 11

• cause serious stress which can be cause of relapse in patients with SZ but can also be a trigger of SZ of those with vunerability

Question 12

what does the theory fail to explain?

Answer 12

• why all children in dysfunctional fam dont develop SZ
• they arent a certantity- its primarily a trigger
• lack of causation for those who dont develop it- limited expl, ignores biology.
• better way= interactionist

Question 13

how is the theory problematic?

Answer 13

• rather than dyfunctions within family causing SZ, having SZ within a family leads to dysfunctions
• issues with cause and effect
• limits our understanding
• victim blames parent - SZ mother

Question 14

what support is there?

Answer 14

Read et al
- studies of child abuse and SZ-> 69% female SZ history of physical abuse, sexual abuse/both in childhood
- supports dysfunctions cause SZ
- counter -> info gathered AFTER devel of SZ= disorted recall, questions validity as it directs attention to abuse, could be other reasons