Cognitive Explanation Ao3

Question 1

Dysfunctional thought processing Ao3 strength

Answer 1

Conducted by Stirling et al 2006

Compared 30 patients with sz with 18 non patient controls on cognitive tasks such as stroop task

Sz patients took over twice as long to complete tasks as the control group

Supports central control as patients could not suppress their automatic response

Thus increasing validity of central control dysfunction as congnitive explanation of sz

Question 2

Dysfunctional thought processing Ao3 limitation

Answer 2

Alternate explanation is biological explanation or family dysfunction

Suggest sz is due to hypedopaminegia

Where high level of dopamine in central areas of the brain are associated with auditory hallucinations

Rather than dysfunction in thought processing such as lack of meta representation

Weakening cognitive explanation of sz as it’s not the only explanation of sz that should be considered

Question 3

Cognitive explanation Ao3 limitation

Answer 3

Practical applications

Principles of the theory sz is caused by delusional thoughts has lead to the treatment of CBT

Helping patients to identify and challenge origins of auditory hallucinations (meta representations)

Reducing positive symptoms of sz e.g hallucination and delusions of control

Thus important part of applied psychology increasing credibility of cognitive explanation of sz