Social Psychological Explanations of SZ

Question 1

Dysfunctional families explanation

Answer 1

Explores how family dynamics influence the onset of SZ, development from theories similar to SZogenic mother

Question 2

Double bind theory (Bateson (1956))

Answer 2

Argues that symptoms of SZ derive from communication difficulties in family (mostly parent-child)
Child exposed to contradictory messages from parent -> fears they will do something wrong -> live in a world of disordered messages where deciphering them is seen as dangerous

Question 3

Double bind theory links to SZ symptoms

Answer 3

Internal conflict results in disorganised thinking. Hallucinations and delusions (particularly paranoid) derive from a lack of trust.
Negative - flat affect and asociality

Question 4

Expressed Emotion theory

Answer 4

Suggests that families who persistently exhibit negative emotions (hostility and criticism) result in SZ onset

Question 5

Elements of EE

Answer 5

Verbal criticism, sometimes violence.
Hostility; anger, and rejection.
Emotional over-involvement - high levels of happiness/sadness and overprotective behaviour.

Question 6

Butzlaff and Hooley (1998) findings

Answer 6

Over 200 studies of EE, found that 70% of SZs in families with high EE relapsed within a year or so as opposed to 30% in families of low EE.

Question 7

Sociocultural factors explanation

Answer 7

Suggests that certain sociocultural factors of modern life (life events, urbanicity, social isolation, and ethnicity and discrimination) TRIGGER the onset of SZ

Question 8

Life events

Answer 8

Stressful/traumatic events trigger onset of SZ. Reason is unknown but linked to NT levels (link to DA?).

Question 9

Brown and Birley (1968)

Answer 9

Approx. 50% of people experienced a triggering life event about 3 weeks prior to SZ episode, with 12% reporting 9 weeks prior

Question 9

Urbanicity

Answer 9

We are not evolutionarily designed for urban living. May explain higher rates of MH disorders in comparison to rural areas. Higher rates of SZ likely to be influenced by environmental factors like pollution, socioeconomic diversity, overcrowding, drug abuse, etc.

Question 9

Social Isolation

Answer 9

Lack of feedback from others on inappropiate thoughts and behaviour results in worsening. People with a strong social network would be challenged, but those who are socially isolated are encouraged as there is nobody to correct their behaviour, and symptoms go unchecked for a long time

Question 9

Ethnicity and discrimination

Answer 9

Rates of SZ for Afro-Caribbean people is higher than expected since the 1970s. Cannot be genetic because the same result is not observed in studies conducted in the Caribbean.

Higher rates also seen in children of Afro-Caribbean migrants in the UK, suggesting onset may also be due to discrimination.