Schizophrenia: Dysfunctional Families (Social Explanation) Flashcards
What two theories are part of this explanation?
Double bind
Expressed emotion
Who developed double bind theory?
Bateson
What is the double bind theory?
Children are repeatedly exposed to social interactions with conflicting social messages which incapacitates their ability to respond effectively and they can’t recognise when contradictions are used
What is an example of a contradicting social interaction? (Double bind)
A parent asks their child what they did today but ignores their response and watches TV
How does double bind effect schizophrenics?
If they can’t tell when there are contradictions they are less able to spot when something is unreal or untrue such as not being able to accept conflicting evidence for their delusions
Who came up with the theory of expressed emotion?
Brown
How did Brown come up with expressed emotion?
He studied 156 men as they were discharged from hospital and monitored relapses. Men discharged into parents or wives care were more likely to relapse which points that it’s environmental factors
What kind of expressed emotion is likely to cause relapse?
High EE
What are the componants of EE?
Critical comments
Hostility
Emotional overinvolvement
Less warmpth and empathy
What evaluative points can be made?
Double bind: Cause or effect?
Origins of double bind
Research support for expressed emotion
Shared environment or shared genes?
How is the cause and effect relationship of double bind theory questioned?
Leim: Communications are no different with parents of schizophrenia
May be that they have to adapt to living with a child with a mental illness
How can the origins of double bind theory be used to evaluate the theory?
Koopmans: double bind has an effect during times of family disruption but there is little evidence to support this explanation
What is the research support for expressed emotion?
53% of those in high EE familes relapsed in 9 months compaed to 12% in low EE settings
McCreadie and Phillips found no differences in 6 to 9 months which shows a wider approach is needed
What is the genetic arguement for the theory?
108 genes linked
Diathesis stress
What percentage of men in high EE families relapsed within 9 months?
53%
