Social psychological explanations - Double bind and expressed emotion

Question 1

Double bind theory (Bateson)

Answer 1

Bateson argued that families can often give contradictory messages e.g mother comforting a child whilst appearing angry
- this then gives the child mixed messages and can result in an ‘incoherent construction of reality’ — could lead to Sz symptoms
- it places them in an impossible situation causing internal conflict

Question 2

Application of the double bind theory ( Laing 1971)

Answer 2

Laing claimed that schizophrenia is the sane response a dysfunctional social environment
- the disorder helps the individual to cope with a maladaptive family and social unit

• argued that the medical model ignores the subjective experience of the patient and that therapy should involve entering the schizophrenic reality to help them recover rather than forcing them back into our reality to help them recover rather than forcing them back into our reality with medication

Question 3

Evaluation of double bind hypothesis (for it)

Answer 3

• The double bind theory can account for some of the disordered thinking of people with Sz - however there is very little evidence to support which means there is a lack of validity and reliability for the explanation

Berger- found that Sz reported a higher rate of recall of double bind statements by their mothers than non Sz

• Provides a thoughtful critique to other approaches by suggesting that people are not ill but different to the social norm — controlled by societal expectations of normal — highlights the issues of social control

Question 4

Describe one social explanation of Sz

Answer 4

1) Description of the double bind theory
2) Explain further ( include example of paradoxised order
3) Example/anti psychiatry movement

Question 5

Evidence against the double bind hypothesis

Answer 5

Ringuette and kennedy - had experts in DB and non experts make judgements about letters written to Sz patients
- results showed that experts were no better at identifying DB statements than non experts
- this can suggest confusion around defining what DB statements are - this has hindered research in this area and has provided little support limiting any possible practical applications for the theory beyond family therapy

Question 6

Anti- psychiatry movement- ‘the myth of mental illness’

Answer 6

What is it?
-highlights psychiatry as using medical tools for social conditions and focuses on coercion and targeting of marginalised populations
- focuses on the role of pharmaceutical companies
- believe mental illness is a label for deviation from social norms

Anti-psychiatrists
lead to Mental illness does not exists + Mental illness are reactions to unbearable stresses in life

Mental illness does not exists = Szasz and Social labelling theorists
Mental illness are reactions to unbearable stresses in life = Laing and Bateson and brown

Question 7

Anti-psychiatry quotes -Szazs

Answer 7

‘ Insanity is the only sane reaction to an insane society
“ If you talk to God you are praying, If God talks to you, you have Schizophrenia”
“Classifying thoughts, feelings and behaviours as diseases is a logical and semantic error, like classifying a whale as a fish

Question 8

Double bind hypothesis - paradoxical orders (Bateson)

Answer 8

• Parents send mixed messages to their child by giving out ambiguous communication
  Paradoxical orders - “ don’t do it just because i’ve told you to”
• in a double bind situation a person is given mutually contradictory orders by another person — can cause internal conflict and Sz symptoms represent an attempt to escape from the double bind communciation