CAKE ROTA

I have been persuaded that we should have a cake rota. This will supply cake on Wednesdays during period 4 every week.

The first and second rules of cake club are that you do not talk about cake club but the third rule is that you have to contribute cake to eat cake.

If you are stuck for ideas, something like this should suffice:



Or this, if you are in a rush:



The rota is as follows:

4th March  Shannon, Husna & Nirmala
11th March: Sarah, Moram, Heaven
18th March: Jack, Daisy, Alice
25th March: Dan, Jack C-J, Reigner
15th April: Billay, Hamish, Francesca
22nd April: Jokha & Sumaya
29th April: Mrs Watson

Psychological therapies for schizophrenia: CBT

Today we finished the Schizophrenia topic with a look at the last psychological therapy - CBT. The aim is to change the faulty thinking that underlies the abnormal behaviour and resultant symptoms. We discussed two CBT techniques - CSE (coping strategy enhancement) and reality testing. There are many more but I suggest you only learn a couple and evaluate them well.

Today's ppt is here. The evidence that you will need to support and oppose the use of CBT is here and here (paper copies from me in R23).

Don't forget the timed essay next Tuesday.

Psychological explanations of schizophrenia - psychoanalysis

Yesterday (Tues 24th) we studied some Freudian theory to look at why Freud believed psychoanalysis was unsuitable for schizophrenics. He said that they were unable to form a therapeutic relationship or 'working alliance' between the client and the therapist.

Today's ppt is here.

Your next timed essay is next TUESDAY (3rd March). The title is: Outline and evaluate psychological explanations of schizophrenia (8+16)

Psychological explanations of schizophrenia: Cognitive and sociocultural explanations

Today we looked at two more psychological explanations of schizophrenia. Frith's cognitive model of schizophrenia does acknowledge a biological basis, but is rather simplistic. However, cognitive models are of use because of the therapy (CBT) that has arisen from them has been useful.

We also discussed three sociocultural explanations - life events, family dysfunction (encompassing double binds and expressed emotion) and labelling theory. Any one of these are their own are not satisfactory explanations of the disorder, but they could play a role in the stress aspect of the diathesis-stress model.

Today's ppt is here.

The homework essay (biological explanations of schizophrenia -essay plan here) is due on Wednesday 25th Feb.

Psychological explanations of schizophrenia: The psychodynamic viewpoint

Today we finished the biological explanations of SZ with a look at the neuroanatomical view - the finding that some schizophrenics (mostly those with negative symptoms) have enlarged ventricles in the brain. On it's own this isn't enough to explain why schizophrenia arises (and it may even be the result of a virus caught in the womb, thus affecting brain development) - and we can argue about whether this a cause or just a complication of schizophrenia. The info on this is in the ppt in the previous post - biological explanations for SZ.



We then looked at how Freud explained schizophrenia, and started with some revision of the tripartite personality. His view is obviously outdated, but, as you know the classification and diagnosis of the disorder has changed somewhat over the past century.

Today's ppt is here (first few slides - we didn't get onto behavioural or cognitive theories).

A useful handout on the psychodynamic view is here

Here is a useful slide showing the pros and cons of the dopamine hypothesis.

Biological explanations of schizophrenia

Today we looked at biological explanations for schizophrenia - genetic and biochemical explanations. There is some strong evidence of a genetic component to the disorder, but this is by no means the only story. Adoption studies have attempted to disentangle the effects of nature and nurture so these are particularly interesting - we discussed Kety et al (1984).

We also looked at the dopamine hypothesis - the idea that schizophrenia can be attributed to excess dopamine.

Today's ppt is here.

Population validity - use of student participants.

Here is a link to a blog that I follow by Cara Flanagan - one of the authors of the A2 dog book. The post is about population validity, and one reason why student participants might be different to the general population.

If you are interested, here is a general article about the use and abuse of student participants.

Insomnia question

Someone emailed me a question on insomnia recently - copied below in case anyone finds it useful:

'Hi Mrs Watson,I'm redoing the exam question on insomnia and I was wondering, what are the explanations for insomnia? I just want a list of them so that I can be sure that i'm on the right track.'

'Hi,
This is a good question as it's not immediately obvious. The explanations are ways to explain insomnia i.e. the primary/secondary distinction (plus implications for treatment; use the Ohayon & Roth study) and the precipitating/perpetuating/predisposing way of describing insomnia, leading onto diathesis-stress. Just make sure that you put in lots of research.
Mrs Watson'

Issues in the diagnosis and classification of schizophrenia

Today we looked at why it is difficult to diagnose schizophrenia - and reasons for why the diagnosis could be low in reliability and validity. This is not just a historical problem. You need to be able to discuss some of the reasons behind this difficulty, and where appropriate to cite relevant studies.

The original Rosenhan article ('On being sane in insane places') is here.

Today's powerpoint is here.