The interactionist approach

Question 1

the interactionist approach definition

Answer 1

acknowledges that a range of factors, including biological and psychological factors, are involved in the development of schizophrenia

Question 2

Diathesis stress model

Answer 2

explaining behaviour

e.g. schizophrenia is explained as the result of both an underlying vulnerability (diathesis) and a trigger, with of which are necessary for the onset of schizophrenia.
In early versions of the model, vulnerability was genetic and triggers were psychological.
Nowadays both genes and trauma are seen as diatheses, and stress can be psychological or biological in nature

Question 3

Meehl’s model

Answer 3

in original diathesis-stress model diathesis was entirely genetic, the result of a single ‘schizogene’

–> led to development of a biologically based schizotypic personality, one characteristic of which is sensitivity to stress

• said if person doesn’t have the schizogene them no amount of stress would lead to schizophrenia
• carriers of the gene, chronic stress through childhood and adolescence, in particular the presence of a schizophrenogenic mother, could result in the development of the condition

Question 4

The modern understanding of diathesis

Answer 4

• now clear that many genes each appear to increase genetic vulnerability slightly; there is no single ‘schizogene’ RIPKE
• psychological trauma
• hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system can become over-active, making the person much more vulnerable to later stress

Question 5

The modern understanding of stress

Answer 5

stress was seen as psychological in nature, in particular related to parenting

• much of the recent research into factors triggering an episode of schizophrenia has concerned cannabis use. –> increases the risk of schizophrenia by up to 7 times according to dose = cannabis interferes with the dopamine system

Question 6

Treatment according to the interactionist model

Answer 6

• acknowledges both biological and psychological factors
• combining antipsychotic medication and psychological therapies, most commonly CBT
• CBT, family therapy and the use of token economies with suffered of schizophrenia are usually carried out with patients taking antipsychotics