Psychodynamic explanation

• What is a schizophrenogenic mother?

  Fromm-Reichman suggested scz caused by mothers who were overly dominant in home- particularly towards scz child. While being controlling and overprotective, were also cold and distant. Overprotection stifles child's emotional development, and distance leaves them feeling emotionally insecure. Deprives child of personal security- left vulnerable when faced with stress.
• What are the causes of scz according to Freud?

  Result of disintegration of ego. During oral stage, ego is not well-developed. Oral fixation and regression lead to developing mind of an infant. All id- self-centred, focused on own gratification, no care for others. As an adult- narcissistic and impulsive and unable to plan their actions (no ego) and unable to see if behaviour was immoral (no superego). Lack of ego, so hard to distinguish reality and desires and fantasies.
• What are the weaknesses of the psychodynamic explanation of scz?

  Freudian concepts out of date (unscientific and unfalsifiable) Failure to produce effective treatment (John Rosen, 1947) (Strupp et al, 1977) Issues with causality, deterministic, overlooks role of genetics (Leonard Heston, 1966), inconsistent support for schizophrenogenic mothers (Jacob Kasanin, 1934).
• What did John Rosen, 1947 propose?

  Proposed scz could be treated with psychoanalytical techniques ( Freud said those with scz lacked insight necessary for psychoanalysis).
• What did Strupp et al, 1977, find?

  Psychoanalytical therapies can lead to deleterious and harmful effects in those with scz. May be as techniques require patient to experience memories and insights they're emotionally incapable of dealing with- distressing.
• What did Jacob Kasanin, 1934 find?

  Examined hospital case records and found evidence of maternal overprotection in 33/45 cases of scz. Therefore almost 1/3 of the cases didn't have overprotective mother- unconvincing and inconsistent evidence. His judgements may have been biased as he knew hypothesis- may have lacked objectivity.
• What did Leonard Heston, 1966 find?

  Adoption studies- reported on diagnosis for scz in 47 adoptees who had biological scz mother and 50 adoptees who didn't. Found 10.6% of those who had biological scz mother were also diagnosed with scz- 0% of those with no biological scz mother had been diagnosed.
• Strengths of the psychodynamic explanation of scz?

  Considers environmental factors( nurture), deterministic, so removes blame from patients.