Social Psychological Explantipns Of Schizophrenia Flashcards
Social cultural factors (10 marks)
P1- urbanicity:
Rates of sz are higher in urban areas compared to rural areas
Research found that sz rates were higher in densly populated centre of Chicago compared to less populated suburbs
Urban living does not suit the evolutionary traits of humans which could explain high rates of mental illness
Studies identified specific environmental factors implementing sz = poverty, substance abuse, pollution, overcrowding (factors that cause greater social stress)
P2- social isolation:
Sz are often very socially isolated from others - have few friends, estranged from family and more likley to live alone
May link to sz symptoms as they don’t receive feedback about inappropriate behaviour the strange behaviour them flourishes unchecked
Research (longitudinal/prospectus study) found that individuals diagnosed with sz were more likley to show solitary play aged 4-6 and described themself as less socially confident at age 13
P3- ethnicity:
Sz is much higher in immigrants particularly Afro Caribbean
They were found 7x more likely to develop sz than white
The explanation can’t be genetic as the risk is not apparent in studies carried out in the Caribbean - also carried out on 2nd generation migrants
Most likely the explanation of discrimination:
In society - social isolation
In psychiatry - dominated by white males causing discrimination in diagnosis
Evaluation of social cultural factors - supporting research
S-strength as there is research to support the theory
E-research in a longitudinal/prospectus study that those diagnosed with sz as children ages 4-6 were more likley to play alone and aged 13 would describe themself s less socially confident
E-this adds credibility as its a prospectus study so shows symptoms before diagnosis which removes biases - also longitudinal shows the consistency of symptoms over time
W-this is strong evidence and shows clear cause and effect making the theory credible
Evaluation of social cultural influence - practical applications
S- strength
E-if research into social isolation has suggested that solitary play in children could be an indicator of onset sz in later life we can apply early intervention
E-early intervention could encourage socialisation e.g increasing social confidence in children through play therapy
W- this is a useful theory as it allows for preventative measures to be implemented
Evaluation of social cultural factors - cause/effect (which comes first)
S-weakness as can’t establish if urbanisation or SZ comes first
E-the social drift hypothesis says ones diagnosed with sz the individuals decline in social economic status (struggle finding employment) which attracts them to inner cities - urbanicity may be an effect of sz
C- however research suggests that those worth high risk of psychosis like schizophrenia reduced the liklihood of development if they moved rural
W-although cannot be 100% inferred that living in an urban area causes sz - no clear link so need to remain critical about their theory
2nd social psychological explanation (brief) - dysfunctional families
P1- double bind theory:
A lose lose situation as a result of abnormal communication patterns within families of sz
(Destructively ambiguous fashion)
For example conflicting messages occur through paralinguistics e.g saying you love someone in a stern voice and arms folded - these contradict each other causing a double bind
These link to symptoms of sz:
+ hallucinations/delusions
- flatness of effect, avolition, anhedonia
(All escaping the conflict)
Evaluation point for dysfunction families (research support)
S- strength as there is supporting research for the double bind theory
E-interview sz and controls and sz reported a higher rate of recall to double bind statements by their mums than the controls
C- self report method - may be impacted by symptoms they already had e.g delusions/hallucinations
W- therefore, lacks internal validity despite supporting evidence so need to remain critical of the theory
