The Interactionist Approach

Question 1

Define the interactionist approach in explaining sz.

Answer 1

An approach explaining schizophrenia, focusing on both the biological and psychological factors that could cause schizophrenia.

Question 2

Define the diathesis-stress model.

Answer 2

Refers to the vulnerability to getting schizophrenia which can be linked to a faulty dopamine system.
It suggest that there is already a vulnerability that requires a stress factor to trigger the illness.

Question 3

What research did Murray (1996) conduct?

Answer 3

• based on diathesis stress model
• investigated children born after flu epidemic
• biological mothers had the flu when 4 - 6 months pregnant

Question 4

What were the results from Murray’s 1996 study?

Answer 4

• the children had an 88% increased chance of developing sz
• flu (stress) causes defects in neural development in the brain (diathesis) leading to brain damage / damage to dopamine functioning (diathesis)

Question 5

What research did Barlow and Durand (2009) conduct?

Answer 5

• studied patients who had a family history of sz

Question 6

What did Barlow and Durand (2009) find?

Answer 6

• genetic link and family dysfunction were both important/necessary in explaining the cause of sz

Question 7

Evaluate the diathesis-stress model in explaining schizophrenia.

Answer 7

(+) Walker (1997) found cortisol levels (stress hormone) were very high immediately before onset - stress causes sz

(+) Genetics cannot be the only reason - concordance rates are never 100%, a stress factor is needed

(+) Houston (2008) sz patients experienced childhood sexual trauma which affected the brain (diathesis). They were stressed and used cannabis - inc. chances

(-) individual differences need to be accounted for. different in how well we can tolerate stress

(-) criticised bc ‘diathesis’ and ‘stress’ don’t have one source. Sz is polygenic and stress has many factors.

Question 8

How would the interactionist approach treat schizophrenia?

Answer 8

• combine biological and psychological treatments
• compare treatments to see the most suitable option
• drugs then psychological
• Drugs and CBT is a common combination

Question 9

What research did Hogarty (1968) conduct?

Answer 9

• studied 103 patients who had high EE families
• a variety of treatments offered
• relapse rates were measured in the first year

Question 10

What were the results from Hogarty’s (1968) study?

Answer 10

• family therapy and drugs: 19%
• social support and drugs: 20%
• drugs alone: 41%
• family therapy, social support, and drugs: 0%
• supports the idea that a combination of treatments is the most effective

Question 11

What research did Guo (2010) conduct?

Answer 11

• studied patients in early stages of sz

- they received both anti-psychotic drugs and psychological therapy

Question 12

What were the results from Guo’s (2010) study?

Answer 12

• showed improved insight into their illness
• better quality of life
• better social functioning
• less likely to discontinue treatment or relapse than those just taking drugs
• supports combined treatment being more effective

Question 13

Evaluate the interactionist approach for treating schizophrenia.

Answer 13

(+) support from behavioural and cognitive therapies. Cognitive aims to change disorder thinking which helps behavioural therapies be effective

(+) support from the diathesis-stress model

(+) makes sense to treat biological (dopamine) / psychological (family dysfunction) causes with drugs/family therapy

(+) cost-benefit analysis - used combined treatments means lower relapse rates and overall cheaper for the NHS

(-) combination of therapies can be expensive and therefore not offered to all patients

(-) more than one treatment can lead to problems like the side effects of drugs interfering with CBT treatments

(-) difficult for psychologists to decide which therapies would be most effective or if the combinations is right