interactionism

• 🔁 interactionist approach

  schizophrenia is understood through interaction of biological predispositions and psychological stressors
• 🔹 diathesis

  biological or psychological vulnerability

  • genetic factors = 100 variations (Ripke et al)
  • psychological trauma = childhood abuse (Read et al)
  • biological abnormalities
• 🔹 stress

  life events that trigger the onset of schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals

  • cannabis use
  • dysfunctional family
  • stressful life events
• ⚖️ diathesis-stress

  person may carry vulnerability but never develop schizophrenia unless encounter a significant stressor
• 💊 interactionist approach to treatment

  • antipsychotic medication - reduce symptoms
  • CBT or family therapy - address thought patterns and environmental stress
• 📖 study supporting interactionist approach

  • Tienari et al - adopted children of schizophrenic mothers were more likely to develop schizophrenia if raised in a highly disturbed adoptive family
• ✅ strength of interactionist explanation - support

  supported by research evidence

  • Tienari et al - adoptees with a genetic predisposition were more likely to develop disorder if raised in a dysfunctional family environment
  • supports interaction between diathesis and stress
  • increases validity
• ✅ strength of interactionist explanation - comprehensive

  more holistic explanation

  • considers role of genes, brain chemistry, psychological trauma and environmental triggers
  • avoids reductionism
  • more realistic and flexible model
• ❌ limitation of interactionist explanation - uncertainty

  ambiguity over what counts as "diathesis" and "stress"

  • modern version includes trauma, abuse or brain abnormalities
  • lacks clarity so applying the model is inconsistent
  • reduces scientific usefulness
• ✅ strength of interactionist treatment - success

  supports use of combined treatments

  • medication and therapy leads to better outcomes
  • patients gain symptom relief and learn how to manage triggers or thoughts
  • supports real-world application
• ✅ strength of interactionist treatment - cause

  reflects multifactorial explanation

  • arises from biological and psychological factors
  • integrative treatment is more ethical and person-centered
  • more effective approach
• ❌ limitation of interactionist treatment - accessible

  not widely available

  • USA favours biological treatment
  • psychological therapies are limited and expensive
  • reduces universal applicability