Schizophrenia 5 | Psychological treatments of SCZ Flashcards
(25 cards)
AO1 What is the aim of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) in the treatment of schizophrenia
To help patients identify and challenge irrational thoughts particularly those contributing to delusions and hallucinations and to develop coping strategies
AO1 What are common techniques used in CBT for schizophrenia
Reality testing cognitive restructuring and behavioural experiments
AO1 How is CBT typically delivered to schizophrenia patients
Usually in combination with antipsychotic medication over a course of sessions involving a trained therapist
AO3 What is a strength of CBT in treating schizophrenia supported by research
Turkington et al found CBT combined with medication improves outcomes suggesting it helps patients manage symptoms like delusions
AO3 Why is CBT considered a valuable part of schizophrenia treatment
It helps patients challenge distorted thinking and cope better which improves quality of life when used with medication
AO1 What is the aim of family therapy in the treatment of schizophrenia
To improve communication and reduce stress within families which can reduce expressed emotion and prevent relapse
AO1 What does family therapy involve
Education for family members about schizophrenia communication training and problem-solving strategies
AO1 Why is reducing expressed emotion important in schizophrenia treatment
High expressed emotion in families is linked to higher relapse rates so reducing it helps prevent relapse
AO3 What is a strength of family therapy supported by research
Pharoah et al found family therapy reduces relapse by lowering expressed emotion and improving family dynamics
AO3 Why is family therapy considered a holistic treatment
It supports both the patient and the family creating a more supportive environment for long-term recovery
AO1 What is the aim of token economies in managing schizophrenia
To encourage desirable behaviours in institutional settings through positive reinforcement
AO1 How do token economies work for schizophrenia patients
Patients receive tokens for behaviours like self-care which can be exchanged for privileges
AO1 Why are token economies mainly used in hospitals
They help manage negative symptoms and improve functioning where structure and reinforcement can be controlled
AO3 What is a limitation of token economies regarding real-world application
They are often not effective outside institutions since rewards do not exist in real life and the behaviours may not generalise
AO3 Why are token economies limited in therapeutic value
They do not address the root causes of schizophrenia such as cognitive distortions or biological issues
AO1 What was the aim of the Chadwick et al 1996 study
To investigate whether a patient experiencing delusions could recognise their beliefs as false when confronted with contradictory evidence
AO1 What method did Chadwick et al 1996 use
They studied a man who believed he could predict the future using videotapes and asked him to say what would happen next before each clip
AO1 What were the results of the Chadwick et al 1996 study
The patient failed to predict any of the outcomes correctly
AO1 What was the conclusion of Chadwick et al 1996
The patient’s delusions were challenged by the evidence suggesting CBT techniques like reality testing can reduce belief in delusions
AO3 What is one evaluation point of Chadwick et al 1996
The study shows CBT can be effective in helping patients see the irrationality of their beliefs but it is a case study so generalisability is limited
AO1 What was the aim of the Ayllon and Azrin 1968?
To investigate the effectiveness of a token economy system in encouraging desirable behaviours in institutionalised patients with schizophrenia.
AO1 What method did Ayllon and Azrin 1968 use?
They introduced a token economy in a psychiatric hospital where female patients received tokens for tasks like making their bed and tokens could be exchanged for rewards like snacks
AO1 What were the results of Ayllon and Azrin 1968
There was a significant increase in the number of desirable behaviours performed by patients after the introduction of the token economy
AO1 What was the conclusion of Ayllon and Azrin 1968
Token economies can be effective in reinforcing and increasing desirable behaviours in institutionalised schizophrenia patients
