interactionist approach to schizophrenia

• What is the interactionist approach in relation to schizophrenia?

  It is a biosocial approach recognizing biological, psychological, and societal factors.
• What biological factors contribute to the development of schizophrenia?

  Genetic vulnerability and neurochemical abnormalities.

  
• What psychological and societal factors are associated with schizophrenia?

  Stress from life events, daily hassles, poor family interactions, and substance abuse.

  
• What does the term 'diathesis' refer to in the diathesis-stress model?

  Vulnerability to developing a disorder.

  
• What does 'stress' refer to in the diathesis-stress model?

  Negative psychological experiences.

  
• What does the diathesis-stress model claim about the development of schizophrenia?

  Both vulnerability and a stress trigger are required for schizophrenia to develop.

  
• How did the original diathesis model conceptualize diathesis?

  As entirely genetic, resulting from a single "schizogene".
• What is a characteristic of the schizotypic personality?

  Sensitivity to stress.
• What happens if a person does not have the schizogene?

  No amount of stress can lead to schizophrenia.
• How can chronic stress during childhood and adolescence affect carriers of the schizogene?

  It can result in the development of schizophrenia.
• What is the modern view of diathesis in the diathesis-stress model?

  Many genes increase vulnerability; there is no single schizogene.

  
• How does psychological trauma relate to the diathesis-stress model?

  It can become the diathesis rather than just a stressor.

  
• What does the neurodevelopmental model proposed by Read (2001) suggest?

  Early trauma alters the developing brain, increasing vulnerability to stress.
• What is the modern view of stress in the diathesis-stress model?

  Stress includes anything that may trigger schizophrenia, not just psychological factors.

  
• How does cannabis use relate to the risk of developing schizophrenia?

  It increases the risk by up to seven times and interferes with the dopamine system.

  
• What is the risk of developing schizophrenia for those living in urban environments compared to rural environments?

  The risk is 2.37 times higher in urban environments.

  
• Why is it unclear why densely populated environments increase schizophrenia risk?

  It may involve multiple contributing factors.

  
• What is the approach to treatment for schizophrenia in the UK?

  Combination therapy, commonly using antipsychotics and CBTp.
• How does the treatment approach in the USA differ from that in the UK?

  Medication without psychological treatment is more common in the USA.
• What determines the best combination of treatments for schizophrenia?

  It depends on individual circumstances and needs.
• What evidence supports the role of vulnerability and stress in schizophrenia development?

  Tienari's study on Finnish adoptees showed the impact of genetic vulnerability and parenting style.
• What parenting style was implicated in the development of schizophrenia in Tienari's study?

  High levels of criticism, conflict, and low levels of empathy.
• What does the evidence from Tienari's study suggest about genetically vulnerable children?

  They are more sensitive to negative parenting behaviors.
• Why is the idea of a single schizophrenic gene and parenting style too simplistic?

  Many genes increase vulnerability, and stress can come in various forms.
• What forms can stress take in relation to schizophrenia?

  Stress can be biological and psychological, not limited to dysfunctional parenting.
• How has the understanding of diathesis and stress evolved?

  They are now seen as more complex, involving multiple factors beyond genetics.

  
• What evidence supports the effectiveness of combined therapy for schizophrenia?

  Tarrier's study showed lower symptom levels in patients receiving combination therapy.
• What is the treatment-fallacy causation fallacy?

  Assuming that the success of combined therapies means the interactionist approach is correct.
• What is still unclear about the interaction of diathesis and stress?

  The mechanisms by which they lead to schizophrenia symptoms are not fully understood.

  
• What limitation does the diathesis-stress model have despite supporting evidence?

  It cannot fully explain the development of schizophrenia.

  
• Interactionists believe that individuals with schizophrenia are not inherently different from others but may have experienced certain life events or situations that led them to develop symptoms.
• The interactionist perspective emphasizes the importance of social context, including family dynamics.