Psychological Explanation of Schizophrenia (OCR GCSE Psychology): Revision Note

Social drift theory

• Social drift theory is a psychological explanation of schizophrenia

  • It suggests that people with severe mental health problems tend to ‘drift’ down the social hierarchy into lower social classes over time

• This occurs because the symptoms of schizophrenia make it harder for individuals to function in everyday society

  • They may struggle to keep a job, maintain relationships, pay bills or follow social norms

  • As they disengage from normal life, they may become isolated or rejected due to stigma or discrimination

  • This social exclusion can lead to a further decline in social status

• Research shows that working-class individuals are around five times more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia than those from higher social classes

  • This pattern could reflect downward mobility

  • Many people from middle- or upper-class backgrounds who develop schizophrenia have moved into lower social classes by the time they receive psychiatric care

• According to this theory, people with schizophrenia become trapped in a cycle of disengagement and rejection, resulting in a downward spiral into poverty and loss of social status

Disengagement of individuals

• People with schizophrenia may withdraw from social interaction and daily activities due to their symptoms

  • Disorganised thoughts and hallucinations make normal communication and relationships difficult

  • Negative symptoms, such as low motivation and poor concentration, can prevent them from working or studying

• This withdrawal leads to loss of income, housing instability, and reduced opportunities, pushing individuals further down the social ladder

Rejection by society

• People with schizophrenia may also experience rejection or exclusion from the wider community due to fear, misunderstanding, or stigma

  • Employers may refuse to hire them

  • Friends or family might withdraw support due to discomfort or prejudice

• This rejection deepens isolation and reinforces disengagement, creating a vicious cycle of poverty, social exclusion, and limited recovery

• As a result, many individuals become ‘trapped’ at the bottom of society, making rehabilitation and reintegration extremely difficult

Criticisms of social drift theory

• Cause and effect problem

  • It’s unclear whether schizophrenia causes downward mobility (social drift) or whether being in lower social classes increases the risk of developing schizophrenia (social causation)

  • Research suggests that poverty, discrimination, and poor living conditions may also contribute to the development of mental illness

• Overemphasis on social factors

  • The theory ignores biological causes, such as genetic influences and brain abnormalities, which research shows play a key role in schizophrenia

• Bias in diagnosis

  • Psychiatrists may be more likely to diagnose schizophrenia in working-class individuals because of cultural misunderstanding or class bias

  • This may exaggerate the apparent link between schizophrenia and lower social class

• The role of the family is overlooked

  • Critics argue that family conflict or high levels of expressed emotion (criticism, hostility) may also contribute to the onset or relapse of schizophrenia, not just social class