S - Interactionist approach

Question 1

What does the interactionist approach to schizophrenia acknowledge?

Answer 1

Acknowledges that a range of factors, including biological and psychological, are involved in the development of schizophrenia

Question 2

What is the key difference in the ‘modern’ diathesis stress model in relation to schizophrenia?

Answer 2

• There is a range of factors beyond genes which can be a diathesis for schizophrenia
• Trauma can become the diathesis rather than the stressor
• Early trauma can affect many aspects of brain development For example, it can cause an overactive HPA system making the person more vulnerable to later stress
• Stressors can go beyond solely psychological stress
• Cannabis is a stressor because it can increase the risk of schizophrenia by 7x, this is because it interferes with the dopamine system

Question 3

What is the ‘traditional’ diathesis stress model of schizophrenia?

Answer 3

Diathesis is entirely genetic, ‘schizogene’ led to a ‘schizotypic personality’ which is then vulnerable to a psychological stresser

Question 4

Interactionist approach to treatment of schizophrenia

Answer 4

Combines biological and psychological therapies, most commonly CBT