The interactionist approach to schizophrenia

Question 1

Interactionist approach

Answer 1

A way to explain the development of behaviour in terms of a range of factors, including both biological and psychological ones. Most importantly such factors don’t simply add together but combine in a way that can’t be predicted by each one separately

Question 2

Diathesis stress model

Answer 2

Vulnerability = Diathesis
Trigger = Stressor
These combined cause SZ

Question 3

Meehl’s model

Answer 3

Schizogene creates vulnerability to effects of stress (especially a schizophrenogenic mother)

Question 4

Modern understanding of diathesis

Answer 4

• Not a single gene
• May not even be genetic
• Psych- early trauma can also be a diathesis
• Effects Hypothalamic Pituitary adrenal system in the brain
• Make a person vulnerable to later stress

Question 5

Modern understanding of stress

Answer 5

• Any potential trigger
• Stress = anything that risks triggering SZ
• Cannabis usage- Increases likelihood of SZ by 7 times
• Stressor interferes with dopamine system
• Isn’t fully proven

Question 6

Treatment according to the interationist model

Answer 6

• Bio and Psych therapies
• Combines antipsychotics and CBT
• Turkington
• Combination of CBT and drugs is more common in UK

Question 7

Interactionist approach to SZ evaluation points- Support for vulnerability and triggers

Answer 7

STRENGTH

• SZ more likely in children with genetic vulnerability and adoptive parents with child-rearing style high in criticism/low in empathy
• 19,000 Finnish children (Tienari)

Question 8

Interactionist approach to SZ evaluation points- Diathesis and stress are complex

Answer 8

LIMITATION

• Original model hopelessly simplistic
• Many different possibilities
• Eg. childhood sexual abuse (diathesis) and cannabis use (stressor)
• Houston

Question 9

Interactionist approach to SZ evaluation points- Real world application

Answer 9

STRENGTH

• Greater effectiveness for medication plus psychological therapy (CBT or counselling) than medication alone
• Tarrier

Question 10

Interactionist approach to SZ evaluation points- Real world application counterpoint

Answer 10

LIMITATION

A successful treatment doesn’t logically mean the explanation was correct