Psychological Explanations of Schizophrenia - Family Dysfunction

Question 1

Name the 3 explanations of how family dysfunctions leads to schizophrenia

Answer 1

1. schizophrenogenic mother (family climate)
2. double binds (communication style)
3. expressed emotion

Question 2

name the psychologists who found patients w/ symptoms of Sz has a ‘schizophrenogenic’ mother

Answer 2

Fromm-Reichmann (1948)

Question 3

Characteristics of a Sz mother

Answer 3

cold

rejecting

controlling

Question 4

what is the family climate created when there is a Sz mother?

Answer 4

tension & secrecy

Question 5

what does a Sz mother family climate lead to?

Answer 5

distrust

leading to symptoms of e.g.

• paranoid delusions
• other Sz symptoms

Sz

Question 6

Who came up with the concept of double-binds?

Answer 6

Bateson (1956)

Question 7

What is Bateson empahsised?

Answer 7

communication style in the family

Question 8

What is a risk factors in Sz? (Bateson)

Answer 8

double bind communication

Question 9

define double bind communication

Answer 9

when a child receives mixed messages

Question 10

example of double bind communication

Answer 10

well done for passing the test, you actually did really well for once

Question 11

describe the child’s feelings to double bind communication

Answer 11

fear of doing the wrong thing

unable to ask for clarification

Question 12

what is the effect of a child ‘getting it wrong’? (Bateson)

Answer 12

punishment by with-drawl of love

Question 13

name 2 associated symptoms of Sz when receiving double-bind communication

Answer 13

NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS

flattened affect

feel that the world is confusing & dangerous (paranoid delusions + disorganised thinking)

Question 14

how does double binds result in Sz symptoms?

Answer 14

contradictions in communication mean that the person finds it difficulty to create a coherent construction of reality

Question 15

Who is Lidz (1973)?

Answer 15

came up with 2 key types of double bind communication between parents which can influence a child developing Sz

Question 16

name the 2 types of double bind communication between parents

Answer 16

marital schism

martial skew

Question 17

name characteristics of martial schism communication

Answer 17

• emotionally distant parents
• neither mum or dad compromise
• parents in competition for child’s attention

Question 18

name characteristics of martial skew communication

Answer 18

• One parent dominant
• Other is submissive
• Other is yielding to over-bearing dominance of the other

Question 19

what does expressed emotion refer to?

Answer 19

the level of emotion the carer shows to the patient

Question 20

name the 3 key aspects of negative expressed emotion

Answer 20

1. Verbal criticism sometimes with violence
2. Hostility toward patient including anger and rejection
3. Emotional over involvement including needless self sacrifice