Active learning ideas
Psychological explanations for schizophrenia look at the role of family dysfunction and cognitive distortions. Students explore theories like the 'double-bind' and 'expressed emotion,' alongside cognitive models that explain hallucinations as a failure of self-monitoring. The topic also covers the management of schizophrenia through CBT, family therapy, and token economies.
Activity 01
In pairs, one student plays a therapist and the other a patient with a specific delusion (e.g., 'the government is tracking me'). The therapist must use 'reality testing' and 'empirical disputing' to help the patient challenge the logic of their delusion.
How does high expressed emotion in families contribute to relapse?
Activity 02
Small groups are tasked with designing a token economy for a psychiatric ward. They must decide which behaviours to reward, what the tokens can be exchanged for, and then present their plan to the class for an 'ethical audit.'
What cognitive deficits are typically associated with schizophrenia?
Activity 03
Students read about 'Expressed Emotion' (EE). Individually, they list how high EE might lead to relapse; in pairs, they discuss how family therapy could reduce these tensions, and share their ideas with the class.
How does CBT help patients manage their hallucinations and delusions?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Family dysfunction theories mean that parents 'cause' schizophrenia.
Modern theories suggest family stress is a 'trigger' or a factor in relapse, not necessarily the sole cause. Using the diathesis-stress model in peer discussions helps students see the family as part of a wider environmental context.
Token economies are a 'cure' for schizophrenia.
Token economies are a management tool for behaviour in institutional settings; they do not treat the underlying symptoms. Collaborative design tasks help students see that these systems are about making life in a ward more manageable, not curing the disorder.
Methods used in this brief
Classification and Diagnosis
Students learn about the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. They will critically evaluate the reliability and validity of diagnosis using the DSM-5 and ICD-10 classification systems.
8 methodologies
Biological Explanations and Therapies
This topic examines the genetic basis, dopamine hypothesis, and neural correlates of schizophrenia. Students will also evaluate the effectiveness and side effects of typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs.
8 methodologies