There are a wide range of explanations for schizophrenia (SZ), ranging from genetics to psychodynamic approaches. These theories can be grouped into two categories; biological and psychological. These two explanations have many differences such as their fundamental basis, treatments and methodology, but also have several similarities. This essay will outline, then compare and contrast various theories within the biological and psychological explanations.
One aspect of the psychological explanations of SZ is the behaviourist approach. The assumption of the behavioural approach is that, apart from a few innate reflexes, SZ is learnt from the environment like any other behaviour (1). According to this theory, all symptoms can be explained by operant …show more content…
The main difference between them, beside their fundamental claims, is the methodology used in each approach. The psychological approach cannot always be tested, such as Freud’s psychodynamic theory, and so is often disregarded as it only has face validity and not empirical evidence. In areas where it is possible to carry out tests, it requires retrospective data collection from participants or other less reliable forms of data collection. The biological approach, however, is highly scientific and makes use of accurate, controlled, scientific equipment such as PET scans and MRIs to obtain empirical support. Another difference is the fact that both of these explanations have led to the development of different treatments. The biological explanation has led to the development of anti-psychotic drugs, which are widely used today. In contrast, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the most common treatment which is based on the psychological explanation. While both of these treatments have shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms of SZ, it can be argued that drugs only mask the symptoms, while CBT teaches the individual to control their symptoms. These two treatments are often used in conjunction with one another in order to target all aspects of
One aspect of the psychological explanations of SZ is the behaviourist approach. The assumption of the behavioural approach is that, apart from a few innate reflexes, SZ is learnt from the environment like any other behaviour (1). According to this theory, all symptoms can be explained by operant …show more content…
The main difference between them, beside their fundamental claims, is the methodology used in each approach. The psychological approach cannot always be tested, such as Freud’s psychodynamic theory, and so is often disregarded as it only has face validity and not empirical evidence. In areas where it is possible to carry out tests, it requires retrospective data collection from participants or other less reliable forms of data collection. The biological approach, however, is highly scientific and makes use of accurate, controlled, scientific equipment such as PET scans and MRIs to obtain empirical support. Another difference is the fact that both of these explanations have led to the development of different treatments. The biological explanation has led to the development of anti-psychotic drugs, which are widely used today. In contrast, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the most common treatment which is based on the psychological explanation. While both of these treatments have shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms of SZ, it can be argued that drugs only mask the symptoms, while CBT teaches the individual to control their symptoms. These two treatments are often used in conjunction with one another in order to target all aspects of