Posted by alexandra_k on August 17, 2005, at 19:18:19
In reply to Re: Why would someone say such a thing?, posted by alexandra_k on August 17, 2005, at 18:35:00
The Role of Anomalous Experience in the Explanation of Delusion
The psychological theorist Brendan Maher attempts to offer an account of the role of anomalous experience in the production of delusion. While he is primarily focused on offering an explanation of schizophrenic delusions he also maintains that his account should be able to be modified to apply to other types of delusions as well. Maher considers that delusions are normal, rational, or understandable responses to certain kinds of anomalous experiences. He considers that delusional subjects have a certain kind of neurophysiological deficit. The neurophysiological deficit is responsible for the production of an anomalous experience. He maintains that when the anomalous experience is intense and prolonged the person feels compelled to explain the anomalous experience. He considers that delusions are the inevitable result of such an attempt at explanation.
Maher does offer examples of different kinds of neurophysiological deficit that may be responsible for the production of delusion. He also provides examples of different kinds of anomalous experience that the delusional subject may be attempting to explain. He allows that there may be other kinds of neurophysiological deficit, and other kinds of anomalous experience that he has not considered. In light of the findings regarding levels of physiological arousal it would seem natural to add this anomalous experience to Maher’s list. There is still more work to be done with respect to finding the precise nature of the neurophysiological deficit or deficits that underlie the production of such an experience. The experience seems to be multiply realized as it can be produced by either localized cerebral injury or a more global problem with neurotransmission.
So, by piecing together what we know about depression and cerebral trauma with what we know about the physiological responses of such subjects it looks like we are starting to get something of an account of the production of the Cotard delusion. Maher considers that the anomalous experience is both necessary and sufficient for the production of delusion as subjects are compelled to explain their anomalous experience which invariably leads them to the delusional utterance.
poster:alexandra_k
thread:543149
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/write/20050807/msgs/543164.html