Psychological explanations: family dysfunction

Question 1

what is meant by family dysfunction

Answer 1

link between SZ to childhood and adult experiences

Question 2

what is the schizophregenic mother

Answer 2

• cold rejecting and controlling
• creates a family climate characterised by secrecy and tension
• develops into paranoid delusions

Question 3

what is the double bind theory

Answer 3

• child believes they are doing wrong and recieves mixed messages
• child is punished by withdrawal of love

Question 4

what is expressed emotion

Answer 4

• the level of emotion, particularly negative emotion, expressed towards a person with schizophrenia
• verbal criticism
• hostility towards the person
• emotional overinvolvement

Question 5

give two strengths of the family dysfunction explanation

Answer 5

• pratical application - therapy
• supporting evidence - tiearni et al

Question 6

give supporting evidence for the family dysfunction explanation

Answer 6

Tiearni et al

• biological children of people with Sz were adopted
• 5.8% developed it who went to a healthy family
• 36.8% developeds it who went to dysfunctional families

Question 7

give two limitations of the family dysfunction explanation

Answer 7

• social sensitivity - parents feel responsible
• basic cause is biological, family only the trigger

Question 8

give a PEELH for the family dysfunction explanation

strength

Answer 8

• P - supporting evidence
• Eg - tiearni et al
• Ex - shows family dysfunction can lead to Sz
• L - adds validity
• H - indivudal differences so cant explain all cases

Question 9

give a PEELH for the family dysfunction explanation

weakness

Answer 9

• P - social sensitivity
• Eg - parents feel responsible
• Ex - can reienforce sterotypes
• L - prejudice and discrimination
• H -

Question 10

how much phases are in family therapy

Answer 10

7

Question 11

whats the aim of family therapy

Answer 11

improve communicationm between the family

Question 12

what is phase 1, 2, 3 and 4 of family therapy

Answer 12

1. share basic info, provide emotional support
2. identify sources and see what members can offer
3. encourage mutual understanding, creating a safe space
4. identifying unheloful patterns of interaction

Question 13

what is phase 5, 6 and 7 of family therapy

Answer 13

5. skills learning such as stress management
6. relapse prevention planning
7. maintenance for future

Question 14

give 2 strengths of family therapy

Answer 14

• free will is encouraged, no reliance on medication
• no side effects
• effective

Question 15

give a study into the effectiveness of family therapy

Answer 15

mcfarlane

• reduces relapse rates by 50%

Question 16

give 2 limitations of family therpay

Answer 16

• requires active involvement from family members which may not be possible
• expensive
• improvements stop after 6 months