Schizophrenia - The Interactionist Approach To Explaining SZ Flashcards
What is the interactionist approach in the context of managing SZ?
An approach acknowledging a range of factors are involved in the development of SZ
What is the diathesis-stress model, in the context of SZ?
An interactionist approach explaining the diathesis e.g. an underlying vulnerability/trigger brought out by a stress can cause the development of SZ
What is Meehl’s original diathesis-stress model?
the vulnerability was genetic (the ‘schizogene’) -> led to the development of a biologically based schizotypal personality which is sensitive to stress. If carriers of those genes experience chronic stress (particularly through the schizophrenogenic mother) -> can result in development of SZ
What is the modern understanding of diathesis, include Rivke et al and Ingram & Luxton?
it is clear that many genes can increase genetic vulnerability (Ripke et al) & a range of factors beyond genetic (e.g. psychological trauma) that can become the diathesis rather than the stressor (Ingram & Luxton)
What is Read et al’s neurodevelopmental model to explain the development of SZ?
Early & severe child abuse can make the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system more over-active -> makes person more vulnerable to stress
What is the modern understanding of stress, include Houston et al ?
original -> stress was psychological in nature (related to parenting)
modern -> includes anything that risks SZ (Houston et al)
most recent research concerns cannabis use (affects dopamine) -> could be vulnerability factors (most don’t developing it after smoking it)
What is the proposal for treatment of SZ according to the interactionist model?
is compatible with both bio & psych treatments -> combines antipsychotics with CBT
What does Turkington et al say about treatment according to the interactionist model?
it is possible to believe in biological causes & still use CBT but it has to adopt the interactionist model
EVALUATION: How is evidence for the role of vulnerability & triggers a strength of the interactionist approach?
Tienari et al -> investigated combo of genetic vulnerability & parenting style and children from 19000 finnish mothers were followed up & adoptive parents’ parenting style was assessed & rates of SZ compared to control group with no genetic risk -> high critical parenting style caused development of SZ (in children with genetic risk) -> strong direct support for interactionist approach
EVALUATION: What is a limitation of the original diathesis-stress model?
it is oversimplified (suggests a schizogene diathesis & schizophrenic parenting style trigger) -> not the case for newer models
EVALUATION: What can be an issue with the diathesis stress model?
There is strong evidence to suggest the diathesis + stress leads to SZ but we don’t fully know the mechanisms of vulnerability & stress & how they lead to SZ symptoms
EVALUATION: What is the treatment-causation fallacy & how can it be a limitation of the interactionist approach?
Turkington et al -> good fit between interactionist approach & combo treatments however combo bio & psych treatments are more effective together than singular (doesn’t mean interactionist is necessarily correct), but using antipsychotics doesn’t mean SZ is biological in its origin
