Summary
Summary AO1 and AO3 of Interactionist approach to Schizophrenia
- Module
- Schizophrenia
- Institution
- AQA
AO1 and AO3 of Interactionist approach to Schizophrenia
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
Content preview
The interactionist approachThe interactionist approach (AO1)
The interactionist approach is a way to explain the development of behaviour in
terms of a range of factors, including both biological and psychological ones.
Factors don’t simply add together but combine in a way that can’t be
predicted by each one separately.
The diathesis-stress model (AO1)
The diathesis-stress model is an interactionist approach to explaining behaviour.
For example, schizophrenia is explained as the result of both an underlying
vulnerability and a trigger, both of which are necessary for the onset of
schizophrenia. Both genes and trauma are seen as diathesis, and stress can
be psychological or biological in nature.
Meehl's model (AO1)
Meehl’s model in the original diathesis-stress model, diathesis was entirely
genetic, the result of a single schizogene. This led to the idea of a biologically
based schizotypic personality, one characteristic of which is the sensitivity to
stress. According to Meehl, if a person does not have the schizogene then
no amount of stress would lead to schizophrenia. However, in carriers of
the gene, chronic stress through childhood and adolescence, in particular
the presence of a schizophrenogenic mother, could result in the development
of the condition.
Modern understanding of diathesis (AO1)
Many genes each appear to increase genetic vulnerability only slightly, there is
no single 'schizogene'. Modern views of diathesis also include a range of factors
beyond the genetic, including psychological trauma; so, trauma becomes the
diathesis rather than the stressor.
Read et al. proposed a neurodevelopmental model in which early trauma
alters the developing brain. Early and severe trauma, such as child abuse,
can seriously affect many aspects of brain development. For example, the
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system can become overactive,
making a person much more vulnerable to later stress.
Modern understanding of stress (AO1)
A modern definition of stress includes anything that risks triggering
schizophrenia. Much of the recent research into factors triggering an episode of
schizophrenia has concerned cannabis use. In terms of the diathesis-stress
model, cannabis is a stressor because it increases the risk of
schizophrenia by up to seven times according to dose. This may be because
cannabis interferes with the dopamine system. However, most people do
not develop schizophrenia after smoking cannabis presumably because they
lack the requisite vulnerability factors.
Treatment according to the interactionist model (AO1)
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller cake22. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £5.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
62890 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 14 years now
