2. Psychodynamic A01
Recap:
According to the
Psychodynamic approach is
concerned with unconscious Psychodynamic
processes approach
abnormality is
caused by
unresolved conflict
This causes „inner turmoil‟
which leads to schizophrenic between the ID,
behaviour Ego and Superego
that has been
repressed into the
unconscious
3. Psychodynamic A01
e.g. If the child‟s parents are
Freud argued that if the world
cold and uncaring
of the schizophrenic is
particularly harsh, a child may If a child becomes fixated at the oral
become fixated at a particular stage it could explain the sense of „loss
stage of development of reality‟ experienced by
schizophrenics (because the Ego has no
control – auditory hallucinations could be
the Ego trying to regain control)
Prior to the Ego developing the child is ruled by the ID (selfish desires) –
Schizophrenia can therefore represent a regression to this time
Further links
Some symptoms represent
the ego‟s attempt to re-
establish itself
4. Psychodynamic A02
Speculative
It is impossible to empirically test concepts such as the ID, ego
and superego
Unfalsifiable
There is validity in the assumption that schizophrenics suffer
„inner turmoil‟ it cannot be proven.
Lack of evidence
Subsequent psychoanalysts have claimed, like Freud, that disordered
family patterns are the cause of schizophrenia – e.g. Family interactions
and patterns of communication were linked to the cause of
schizophrenia.
‘Schizophregenic families’ was used to describe these dysfunctional
families
5. IDEA‟s /
Psychodynamic A03
Approaches: Issues:
Biological – objective and Unfalsifiable
measureable
Debates:
Determinism Vs. Free will Ethics:
Nomothetic Vs. Idiographic
Revisiting repressed memories
A03
•Low temporal validity (Victorian era)
•Low population validity (case studies)
•Unscientific (relies on memories etc)
7. Recap:
Behavioural approach
suggests all behaviour Behavioural A01
is learned
• Punishment – causes the child to withdraw (through fear of further
1 punishment)
• Child becomes viewed and labelled as „odd‟
2
• Child is given attention (positive reinforcement) which encourages them
3 to remain withdrawn
• Child then conforms to the „odd‟ label
4
• Child shows more exaggerated behaviours (to gain attention)
5
• Schizophrenia develops
8. Behavioural A02
Comer (2003)
This theory of Schizophrenia is supported by Scheff ’s Labelling
Theory – that the symptoms of schizophrenia are viewed as deviant
and so the label of schizophrenia is applied.
Once the label is applied it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy which
promotes the development of other schizophrenic symptoms
Response to reinforcement
Paul and Lentz (1977) were successful in using token economy
(method based on operant conditioning) to reduce bizarre motor
behaviours in chronic psychiatric patients.
*longitudinal study – 6 years
*84 patients assessed using structured interviews & behavioural observation
9. IDEA‟s /
Behavioural A03
Approaches: Issues:
Cognitive / Genetic - Ignores nature
explanations could explain - Reductionist
schizophrenia better
Debates:
-Determinism Vs. Free will Debates:
-- Nature Vs. Nurture -Nomothetic Vs. Idiographic
A03
- Easily observable
-Paul & Lentz – attrition (longitudinal)
11. Cognitive –
selective attention
A01
Recap:
Cognitive approach is Selective Attention
concerned with faulty
thinking/thought processes In „normal‟ brains it‟s
thought that there are
Most people are able to focus mechanisms that filter
selectively (i.e. Ignore one stimulus and process incoming
and pay attention to another)
stimuli.
In „schizophrenic
brains‟ these filters are
It is suggested that people
with schizophrenia cannot somehow defective
filer information in this way – They are inundated by external
they let in too much stimuli which they are unable to
irrelevant information interpret – therefore they
experience the world differently
12. Cognitive – A02
selective attention
Laboratory tasks
There is evidence to show that schizophrenia sufferers are poor
at laboratory tasks which require them to pay attention to some
stimuli but ignore others
This suggests that schizophrenics do
struggle to filter information like other
people – supporting the cognitive
explanation
13. Cognitive –
“faulty” working memory
A01
Recap:
Cognitive approach is
concerned with faulty Faulty memory
thinking/thought processes
Schizophrenia may
A common characteristic of have a relatively unique
schizophrenia is the inability to set of cognitive
think clearly impairments of which
working memory may
be the main deficit
Prefrontal cortical regions in the brain
are thought to play a crucial role in
working memory
14. Cognitive – A02
“faulty” working memory
Cognitive theory has furthered our understanding
It has only been recognised that cognitive functioning is an
important factor in determining patient outcome – cognitive
impairment is now a strong predictor of outcome.
Research in this area has therefore been beneficial in furthering
our understanding of this complex disorder.
Cognitive theory alone doesn’t explain the disorder
It doesn‟t explain the cause, e.g. What leads to the cognitive dysfunction.
In order to explain the origins, the explanation needs to be paired with
the biological approach.
The cognitive theory may however help us explain the origins of some
symptoms e.g. Hallucinations and delusions
15. IDEA‟s /
Cognitive A03
Approaches: Issues:
Biological – might explain it Unfalsifiable
better
Debates: A03
Determinism Vs. Free will
Nomothetic Vs. Idiographic