AQA A-level Psychology Paper 3 Schizophrenia Revision Notes

Schizophrenia
Revision
Paper 3

, Introduction Into Schizophrenia ( Classification of
Schizophrenia ) - AO1

Symptoms
POSITIVE - Additional NEGATIVE - Lack of

● Halluctinations ● Avolition
○ Auditory ○ Lack of motivation
○ Visual
○ Sensory

● Delusions ● Speech Poverty
○ Additional thoughts ○ Loss of quality and quantity
○ Paranoia of verbal responses
○ Delusions of grandeur

● Thought Disorder ● Lacking Concentration

● Disorganised Speech ● Social Withdrawal



Diagnostic Tools
● ICD 10
○ Two or more negative symptoms
● DSM 5
○ One positive symptoms


Classification of Schizophrenia - Reliability and Validity -
AO1
● Reliability in the diagnosis and classification of Schizophrenia
○ whether you get a consistent diagnosis of SZ across time, doctor, country
or classification
○ Inter-rater reliability measure if two observers agree
■ For example if two doctors give the same diagnosis
○ Test-retest reliability is the same doctor giving the same diagnosis over
time with the same symptoms
● Validity in the diagnosis and classification of Schizophrenia
○ whether the symptoms listed diagnosing SZ or are the misdiagnosing SZ
○ questions if a person has the disorder when diagnosed or if SZ is a real
disorder with clear and unique symptoms