psychological explanations

Question 1

psychological explanations

Answer 1

claim Sz caused by abnormal communication patterns in the family
abnormalities in cognitive functions= key component of Sz bias towards developing cognitive schemas seeing the world in a more threatening way

Question 2

family dysfunction, the schizophrenic mother

Answer 2

Fromm-Reichmann= theory of Sz mother meaning ‘Sz causing’
is cold, dominant, moralistic
addition to the psychodynamic explanation of Sz as a result of internal conflict between different parts of the Psyche
family climate of secrecy and tension
leads to distrust and later paranoid delusions e.g Sz

Question 3

double blind theory

Answer 3

Gregory Bateson et al
children who receive frequent contradictory messages from their parents more likely to develop Sz
feel unable to comment on the unfairness or seek clarification
when they ‘get it wrong’ punished by withdrawal of love
understanding the world is dangerous and confusing= disorganised thinking and paranoid delusions
neither the main type of communication or the only factor, just a risk

Question 4

family dysfunction, expressed emotion (EE)

Answer 4

explanation for relapse, source of stress can trigger Sz in already vulnerable
family variable= negative emotional climate, high degree of EE
talk about patient in critical or hostile manner= emotional over involvement/ over-concern
Kulpers et al found high EE relatives talk more and listen less
high levels influence relapse rates
returning to EE is 4x more likely to relapse

Question 5

EE elements

Answer 5

verbal criticism, occasionally with violence
hostility, anger and rejection
emotional over involvement

Question 6

EE suggests

Answer 6

people with Sz have a lower tolerance for intense environmental stimuli
negative emotional climate leads to stress beyond already impaired coping mechanisms, triggers Sz episode

Question 7

psychological explanations

Answer 7

evidence of dysfunctional thought processing in Sz
process info differently, particularly in positive symptoms
christopher frith et et al= 2 types of dysfunctional thought processing: metarepresentational, central control

Question 8

psychological explanations
Christopher Frith et al
2 kinds of dysfunctional thinking

Answer 8

metarepresentaion: congnitive ability to reflect on thoughts and behaviours