psychological explanations: cognitive explainations

Question 1

define cognitive explanations of SZ

Answer 1

these are explanations that focus on mental processes such as thinking, language, attention

Question 2

what are the 3 theories in the cognitive explanations of SZ

Answer 2

• dysfunctional thinking
• meta representation dysfunction
• central control dysfunction

Question 3

explain the dysfunctional thinking theory in cognitive explainations

Answer 3

a cognitive explanation focuses on the role of mental processes

SZ is associated with several types of dysfunctional thought processing and provide a full explanation for SZ

SZ’s can have information processing that doesn’t accurately represent reality

SZ is characterised by disruption to normal thought processing (Simon 2015)

reduced thought processing in the ventral striatum is associated with negative symptoms

reduced processing of information in temporal and cingulate gyri are associated with hallucinations

Question 4

define metarepresentation

Answer 4

the ability to reflect on our thoughts and behaviours

Question 5

how does meta representation dysfunction explain SZ

Answer 5

Frith et al (1992)
identifies an ability to use meta representation in SZ patients. Therefore cannot recognise their own actions, thoughts and believe these are being carried out by someone other than themselves

this explains auditory hallucinations and delusions like thought insertion

Question 6

how does central control dysfunction explain SZ

Answer 6

frith identifies inability to stop automatic responses while performing deliberate actions in SZ patients

speech poverty and thought disorders could result from the inability to supress automatic thoughts and speech triggered by other thoughts

e.g: sz patients can have derailment of thought because each word triggers associations, and the person cannot supress automatic responses