One explanation for schizophrenia developing is due to the upbringing
within schizophrenic families. The double blind hypothesis suggests
schizophrenia is a consequence of abnormal patterns in family communication
e.g. given mutually contradictory signals by another person, causes internal
conflict and schizophrenic symptoms represent an attempt to escape for the
double blind.
Expressed emotion (EE) has been linked to the maintenance of
schizophrenia. This refers to the families that are constantly showing high
levels of emotion such as hostility, criticism, over involvement and over
concern. Schizophrenic patients returning the high EE homes were more like to
relapse than those in low EE homes.
Cognitive explanations such as that proposed by Frith
suggest that schizophrenic are unable to form a correct ‘meta-representation’
of reality. This occurs as different areas of the brain do not function
together effectively causing faulty thinking processes. This causes disordered thoughts
and hallucinations therefore suggesting the schizophrenic characteristics are a
cause rather than a symptom.
Helmsley proposed failure to activate schemas an explanation.
This is a breakdown between stored memories and new information. Since schemas
are used to interpret the world when a breakdown occurs it effects schizophrenics’
ability to do this. Therefore they cannot breakdown information, causing
sensory overload, resulting in delusional thoughts.
Vaughn et al investigated express emotion in families of
hospitalised schizophrenics. A 51% relapse in high EE homes was found and a 13%
relapse in low EE homes. They also found relapse rates increased with more
contact with high EE relatives therefore supports the EE explanation. However,
only half of patients relapsed when returning to high EE homes suggesting this
may not be a complete explanation. Further problems occur as the EE theory
suggest those in low EE homes should not have relapsed. Such as explanation is
reductionist as they only consider the role of family members in relapse rates,
when any social involvement, not just family members, could be considered high
or low EE. Methodological problems are raised for example interviews were used
to determine whether a family is low or high EE. This is subjective to the researcher’s
interpretations therefore is not a reliable measure. Also extraneous variables
could not be controlled therefore we cannot determine how much influence high
EE families truly have in increasing relapse in patients.
Family based psychological explanations provides a nurture
side to the nature/nurture debate. Such studies help us to gain a better
understanding of innate predispositions that may bring about schizophrenic
symptoms.
Weinberger et al found that the blood flow to the prefrontal
cortex, during a card sort test, was different for those suffering schizophrenia.
This led to the conclusions that schizophrenia was associated with poorly
functioning cognitive activity. Such methods of testing are objective as they
measure blood flow therefore in that sense are reliable. However, such studies
only provide a correlational link with no proof that this difference in blood
flow causes different cognitive processes which link to schizophrenia. There is
also a lack of control of extraneous variables which may contribute as brain
mechanisms are still not well understood. Such cognitive explanations have been
criticised for being deterministic in suggesting we do not control our cognitive
processes. It has been argued that consciousness and free will operate at
different levels therefore a cognitive explanation is limited if it does not
take free will into account.
Both Vaughn and Weinberger’s studies provide evidence that
schizophrenia may have a psychological influence to some extent. However,
generally a biological approach is more accepted. Cultural influence is ignored
in both studies raising generalisation issues. Culture may influence onset as it
has been found EE is less common out of western cultures. This may be due to
non-western cultures being less committed to concepts of personal responsibility
than western societies. Therefore they are less likely to blame someone with
schizophrenia for their actions. However, purely psychological explanations are
reductionist and ignore the role of biological influences which others suggest
have more of an influence.
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