Schizophrenia- Cognitive

Question 1

What does Claiborn (2009) suggest in explaining hallucinations?

Answer 1

Estimates 2.5%-4% of population experience hallucinations but not diagnosed with psychiatric problem

Question 2

What did Morrison (1998) propose about explaining hallucinations?

Answer 2

Triggers like sleep deprivation can cause individuals to hear maladaptive voices. Individuals appraise this and elicit behaviours like social withdrawal, causing emotions like sadness, reinforcing message from voices. (vicious cycle)

Question 3

How does the cognitive approach explain negative symptoms?

Answer 3

Beck et al (2008) heavily focus on cognitive triad.
1. Proposes individual endorses dysfunctional beliefs & hold cynical view of future.
2. Mental filters only allow negative messages–> pessimistic view–> negative symptoms

Question 4

What is the lack of preconscious filters theory?

Answer 4

Frith (1979) said positive symptoms could be explained by difficulties inhibiting preconscious content. (normally, important info goes into conscious due to large amount in preconscious)
Claims that schizophrenics cannot differentiate between the important info due to lack of filters.

Question 5

What is the compromised theory of mind? (Frith (1992))

Answer 5

1. Disorders of willed action- explains negative & disorganised symptoms.
2. Disorders of self-monitoring explains delusions of third party control & vocal hallucinations.
3. Disorders of monitoring others thoughts & intentions- leads to delusions of persecution.

Question 6

Evaluate in terms of supporting research.

Answer 6

Beck & Frith theories led to to large amounts of scientific research to be conducted.

Question 7

How is the cognitive approach a reductionist account?

Answer 7

Some argue that Frith reduces a complex experience to being faulty functioning of brain circuits.

Question 8

How is the cognitive approach not a comprehensive theory?

Answer 8

Issues with movement are not explained by cognitive approach.
Do not give cause for illness/origin for deficits, only cognitive deficits thought to cause current symptoms.

Question 9

What is the integrated model of schizophrenia criticsm?

Answer 9

Stress diathesis model causes individual to be caught in vicious cycle, suggesting that cognitive explanation alone is not sufficient and can ignore genes.