Meehl's Model

• Diathesis means vulnerability
• Stress in this context refers to negative experiences that trigger the vulnerability
• The diathesis-stress model says both a vulnerability and a trigger are needed to develop schizophrenia
• Individually may not create schizophrenia - it is the interaction that is key
• In the diathesis-stress model, diathesis was entirely the result of a single 'schizogene'
• Meehl argued that someone without this gene should never develop schizophrenia, no matter how much stress they were exposed to
• But a person who does have the gene is vulnerable to the effects of chronic stress (especially a schizophrenogenic mother)
• The schizogene is necessary but not sufficient for the development of schizophrenia