1. Psychological explanations for schizophrenia 2
Pages of Year 2 book
Specification details:
Cognitive explanations, including dysfunctional thought processing.

2. Cognitive explanation
Schizophrenia is characterised by disturbance in language, attention, thought and perception.
This has led to cognitive psychologists to explain the disorder as a result of dysfunctional thought processing.
Lower then usual levels of processing (possibly caused by biological factors) suggest that cognition is likely to be impaired

3. Christopher Frith (1992)
Frith suggested that schizophrenics fail to monitor their own thoughts correctly, misattributing them to the outside world.
When a person hears voices, it is actually their own inner speech being misinterpreted however sufferers may believe that someone or something in the external world is communicating with them.
Such processing problems in people with schizophrenia are sometimes referred to as alien control symptoms because the sufferer feels as if external forces are influencing their thoughts and actions and they have no personal control.

5. The Stroop Effect
People with Schizophrenia find the Stroop task difficult because it requires cognitive skills.
Check it out and have a go!
Use your textbook to write a paragraph explaining how the activity links to cognitive explanation of central control thought processes. You should refer to the study by Stirling et al (2006) in your answer.

6. Evaluation – AO3 Describes processes / maintenance of the disorder
Focuses on the current cognitions
Plenty of research into the idea
Influential and popular model
Includes biological and the psychological
Empirical evidence to support
Empowers the individual to change
No explanation of what causes these cognitive changes
Some cognitive explanations relate to specific subtypes
Unscientific
Blaming the individual can make the disorder worse
Is thinking irrational?
Which is the cause? Which is the effect? Symptom or explanation

7. Conclusion – AO3
Genetic factors or adverse conditions in the womb can lead to a biological vulnerability and this can take the form of biochemical or neuroanatomical abnormalities ↓
The biological vulnerability can lead to psychological vulnerability such as an inability to process information appropriately
Cognitive processing deficits can lead to cognitive distortions, misattributions and hyper-arousal
These cognitive difficulties can become exacerbated by stressful life events and therefore could go on to produce some of the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia such as delusions and hallucinations
The role of social factors in triggering dysfunctional thinking needs to be explored

8. Complete handout 8.9
PSYB3

9. Essay
Outline and evaluate cognitive explanations for schizophrenia. Refer to at least one other explanation in your evaluation. (16 marks)

10. Essay
Paul has the belief that he is being constantly watched by people who are out to get him. He often hears voices. For example, one is the slow, deep voice of an elderly man who angrily states, ‘You’re worthless. You’re going to be found out!’ With reference to Paul, discuss cognitive explanations for schizophrenia (16 marks)

11. Essay
Compare biological and cognitive explanations for schizophrenia. Refer to evidence in your response (16 marks)

12. Ensure you have written up your class notes to include the following:
Homework
Ensure you have written up your class notes to include the following:
A definition of cognitive explanations
An explanation of what is meant by dysfunctional thought processing
Examples of dysfunctional thought processing
Evaluation of cognitive explanations of schizophrenia