Abnormal Psychology

554 CHAPTER 12

with a higher genetic risk—those whose mothers did have schizophrenia: Those

raised in a stressful environment, with confusing and unpredictable communication

from adoptive parents, were almost nine times more likely to develop the disorder

than those who were raised by adoptive parents with a better communication style;

the rates were 13% compared to 1.5% (Tienari, Wahlberg, & Wynne, 2006).

These interactions through feedback loops (see Figure 12.5) illustrate the

diathesis–stress model. Researchers explain how stress can affect those who have

12.5 • Feedback Loops in Action: Schizophrenia

Figure 12.5g5

Mental Processes and

Mental Contents

Affect Behavior

Brain Systems

Neural Communication Genetics

Stressful Life Events

Family

Gender/Culture

NeuroPsychoSocial

NeuroPsychoSocial NeuroPsychoSocial

Cognitive deficits

Poor insight

Negative beliefs

about self and

abilities

Flat affect Disorganized

speech and

behavior

Frontal lobes

Temporal lobes

Thalamus

Hippocampus

Dopamine

Serotonin

Glutamate

Cortisol

Impaired theory of

mind, which leads

to difficulty

understanding

nonverbal

communication of

others

Growing up in an

orphanage

Dysfunctional

family

communication

High expressed

emotion

Immigration

Discrimination

Differential

recovery rates across

cultures

Inherited

vulnerability for

schizophrenia

spectrum

disorders