sz Flashcards
Describe two positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
● Delusions, which are bizarre beliefs that seem real to the schizophrenic.
● Hallucinations which are unreal perceptions of the environment that are
auditory, visual, olfactory or tactile.
● Disorganised Speech which can be ‘word salad’, where speech is
incomprehensible or ‘derailment’, in which an individual slips between topics.
● Disorganised/ Catatonic Behaviour which is an inability or lack of motivation to
initiate or complete tasks.
Describe two negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
● Speech Poverty (Alogia) is the lessening of speech fluency and productivity.
● Avolition is the reduction of interests and desires, as well as an inability to
initiate and persist in goal-directed behaviour.
● Affective Flattening is a reduction in the range and intensity of emotional
expression- including facial expression.
● Anhedonia is an inability to experience pleasure.
Define reliability.
This refers to the consistency of a measure, as in the same data should be
produced by a measurement if it is taken on successive occasions.
Define validity.
This refers to the accuracy of a measurement- whether or not an observed effect
is genuine.
In relation to biological explanations for
schizophrenia, explain what is meant by neural
correlates.
These are changes in neuronal events and mechanisms that result in the
characteristic symptoms of a disorder, which in the case of schizophrenia may be
damaged connections between the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex.
Outline the dopamine hypothesis as an explanation
for schizophrenia.
When the neurotransmitter dopamine is in excess in regions of the brain, positive
symptoms of schizophrenia can be observed.
Define the double bind theory.
Refers to receiving contradictory information from a family member, such as being
told they love them whilst sneering at them.
Define expressed emotions
This refers to a family style in which there may be overinvolvement in a child’s life,
and a poor style of communication.
Explain how a high EE environment leads to
schizophrenia
This suggests that receiving contradictory information (being told ‘I love you’ by a
sneering person’), renders an individual unable to respond to future information,
causing cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia.
How does the cognitive approach explain
hallucinations?
Hallucinating individuals experience hypervigilance due to an excessive focus on
auditory stimuli, such individuals find it hard to distinguish between imagery and
sensory based perception. This is not corrected as schizophrenics do not reality
test as non-schizophrenics do.
How does the cognitive approach explain delusions?
This explanation suggests that during the formation of delusions, patients have
their interpretations of their experiences controlled by inadequate processing of
information.
Why are atypical antipsychotics preferred to typical
antipsychotics?
Atypical antipsychotics carry a lower risk of extrapyramidal side effects and are
believed to unlike typical antipsychotics, have an impact of reducing negative
symptoms as well as positive ones. These are also suitable for treatment
resistant patients.
Why do atypical antipsychotics run the risk of fewer
side effects?
Atypical antipsychotics do not only block D2 receptors, but have a stronger affinity
for serotonin receptors, and a lower affinity for D2 receptors, which is believed to
reduce the risk of side effects.
How do antipsychotics work?
Antipsychotics are dopamine antagonist which are substances that decrease the
activity of dopamine, by blocking receptors so that dopamine cannot stimulate
them.
Why are drug therapies preferred to other therapies?
● They are effective.
● They are cheap.
● They require less effort on the part of the patients, increasing the chances of
them persisting in the treatment.
