Schizophrenia

Question 1

describe two positive symptoms of Sz

Answer 1

-delusions which are bizarre beliefs
- hallucinations which are unreal perceptions of the environment
- disorganised speech
- disorganised behaviour

Question 2

describe two negative symptoms of Sz

Answer 2

• speech poverty
• avolition
• affective flattening
• anhedonia

Question 3

define reliability

Answer 3

refers to the consistency of a measure as in the same data should be produced by a measurement if it is taken on successive occasions

Question 4

define validity

Answer 4

refers to the accuracy of a measurement- whether or not an observed effect is genuine

Question 5

in relation to biological explanations for Sz, explain what is meant by neural correlates

Answer 5

change in neuronal events and mechanisms that result in the characteristic symptoms of a disorder which in the case of Sz may be damaged connections between the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex

Question 6

outline dopamine hypothesis as an explanation of Sz

Answer 6

when the neurotransmitter dopamine is in excess in regions of the brain, positive symptoms of Sz can be observed

Question 7

define the double bind theory

Answer 7

refers to receiving contradictory information from a family member such as being told they love them whilst sneering at them

Question 8

define expressed emotions

Answer 8

refers to a family style in which there may be overinvolvment in a child’s life and a poor style of communication

Question 9

explain how high EE environment can lead to Sz

Answer 9

suggests that receiving contradictory information, renders an individual unable to respond to future information causing cognitive symptoms of Sz

Question 10

how does cognitive approach explain hallucinations

Answer 10

experience hyper vigilance due to an excessive focus on auditory stimuli

Question 11

how does the cognitive approach explain delusions

Answer 11

suggests during formation of delusions patients have their interpretations of their experiences controlled by inadequate processing of information

Question 12

why are atypical antipsychotics preferred to typical antipsychotics

Answer 12

atypical carry lower risks of extrapyramidal side effects and are believed to have an impact on reducing negative symptoms as well as positive ones. these are suitable for treatment resistant patients

Question 13

why do atypical antipsychotics run the risk of fewer side effects

Answer 13

they do not only block D2 receptors but have stronger affinity for serotonin receptors and a lower affinity for D2 receptors which is believed to reduce the risk of side effects

Question 14

how do antipsychotics work

Answer 14

they are dopamine antagonist which are substances that decrease the activity of dopamine by blocking dopamine receptors

Question 15

why are drug therapies preferred to other therapies

Answer 15

effective
cheap
require less effort on the part of patient and increases the chance of them persisting in the treatment

Question 16

what is meant by token economy

Answer 16

desirable behaviours are encouraged by the use of reinforcements. rewards are given I exchange for tokens earned when desirable behaviours are performed

Question 17

why is token economies considered unethical

Answer 17

psychiatrists have control over food and other things that act as primary reinforcers
contradicts the notion that all humans have the right to things like privacy and food without having to earn them

Question 18

outline interactionist approach to Sz

Answer 18

this is a compromise explanation that suggests Sz develops in individuals who have genetic vulnerability following an activating event

Question 19

define symptom overlap

Answer 19

refers to the fact that some symptoms may not be unique to one disorder but rather shared amongst many disorders

Question 20

define co morbidity

Answer 20

refers to the extent which two or more conditions occur simultaneously in a patient

Question 21

Cheniaux et al

Answer 21

two psychiatrists diagnosed 100 clients using either DSM 5 or ICD-10 and both diagnosed different amounts of clients showing schizophrenia is either over diagnosed or under diagnosed depending on diagnosis system used therefore decreases criterion validity

Question 22

Osorio et al

Answer 22

found high reliability in diagnosis of schizophrenia in 180 people using DSM 5. pairs of interviewers achieved inter rater reliability of +0.97 and test retest reliability of +0.92 therefore diagnosis of schizophrenia is consistently reasonable.

Question 23

inter rater reliability

Answer 23

different clinicians reach the same diagnosis= high tier rater reliability

Question 24

test retest reliability

Answer 24

same clinicians, patient and diagnosis on 2 different occasions= high test retest reliability