5.2.3 Psychological Explanations

Cards (22)

  • What are the two key theories in psychological explanations of schizophrenia?
    Cognitive and Family Dysfunction
  • Cognitive explanations focus on how distorted schemas and cognitive biases contribute to schizophrenic symptoms.
  • High levels of expressed emotion in a family can increase the risk of relapse for individuals with schizophrenia.
  • What do distorted schemas and cognitive biases lead to in schizophrenia?
    Hallucinations, delusions, disorganization
  • Match the psychological explanation with its key concept:
    Cognitive ↔️ Distorted schemas
    Family Dysfunction ↔️ Double bind theory
  • Cognitive explanations emphasize distorted schemas and cognitive biases.
  • What are two key concepts in family dysfunction theories of schizophrenia?
    Double bind theory, expressed emotion
  • Double bind theory suggests that conflicting messages in family communication can contribute to disorganized thinking in individuals with schizophrenia.
  • What are the two key aspects of cognitive explanations of schizophrenia?
    Distorted schemas, cognitive biases
  • Distorted schemas are mental frameworks that shape our understanding of the world.
  • Match the cognitive bias with its description:
    Attributional bias ↔️ Negative outcomes to external causes
    Confirmation bias ↔️ Seeking information confirming beliefs
    Jumping to conclusions ↔️ Making decisions without evidence
  • Double bind theory posits that conflicting messages in families can create confusion and mistrust, leading to disorganized thinking.
  • High expressed emotion in a family is characterized by critical comments, hostility, and emotional over-involvement.
  • What is a key strength of cognitive explanations of schizophrenia?
    Effective treatments like CBT
  • Family dysfunction theories are difficult to test empirically because they rely on subjective observations.
  • Cognitive explanations of schizophrenia are often criticized for being reductionist as they ignore biological factors.
  • What is a key weakness of family dysfunction theories of schizophrenia?
    Difficult to test empirically
  • Match the theory with its strength or weakness:
    Cognitive Explanations ↔️ Effective treatments like CBT
    Family Dysfunction ↔️ Difficult to test empirically
  • Family dysfunction theories of schizophrenia are sometimes criticized for blaming families rather than focusing on individual factors.
  • What is a key strength of cognitive explanations in treating schizophrenia?
    Effective use of CBT
  • Family dysfunction theories highlight the importance of a supportive and healthy family environment.
  • Family dysfunction theories are sometimes criticized for being difficult to test empirically, which reduces their scientific validity.