Schizophrenia -> Interactionist Approach

Question 1

Interactionist approach

Answer 1

This is a broad approach to explaining schizophrenia. It focuses on a combination of biological and psychological factors that could cause schizophrenia, as well as biological and psychological treatments.

Question 2

The Diathesis stress model

Answer 2

Schizophrenia is caused by biological and environmental factors. Diathesis refers to vulnerability to getting the illness which could be linked to a faulty dopamine system. Genes alone do not cause schizophrenia, a stressor is required in the environment is needed to trigger dysfunction

Question 3

Murray

Answer 3

flu epidemic
4-6 months pregnant
88%
defects in neural development
dopamine functioning
diathesis stress

Question 4

Barlow and Durand

Answer 4

family history
cause of the illness
stressor
diathesis stress model

Question 5

Strengths of the interactionist approach

Answer 5

neurodevelopmental
neonatal development
birth trauma
vulnerable to develop schizophrenia later on in life
&
diathesis stress
childhood sexual trauma
brain development
cannabis

Question 6

Weaknesses of the interactionist approach

Answer 6

genes alone
concordance rate
vulnerability risk
environmental factor
&
one single source
polygenic)
poor parenting, psychological trauma, stressful life experiences etc

Question 7

Interactionist approach for treating schizophrenia

Answer 7

• Combine psychological and biological treatments together
• Compare treatments e.g. cost, side effects, relapse, symptom reduction
• See which combinations of treatments are most suitable for each individual schizophrenia patient
• Anti-psychotic drugs are usually given to schizophrenia patients first, and then a psychological treatment is given alongside this.
• Drugs and CBT is a popular combination in the UK

Question 8

Hogarty:

Answer 8

103
high EE families
41%
0%
combination of treatments

Question 9

Guo:

Answer 9

early stages
combination
improved insight
less likely to discontinue treatment
drugs only
favours the interactionist approach

Question 10

Strengths of the interactionist approach for treatment

Answer 10

combining
change disorder thinking
teach functional social skills
&
expensive and costly
more effective
greater success
&
Tarrier (2004).
biological and psychological causes
biological treatment
dysfunctional families
&
reductionism versus holism
holism
different approaches
best cure
best suited to the individual patient