Unusual Experiences, Reality Testing and Delusions of Alien Control

:  Some monothematic types of delusions may arise because subjects have unusual experiences. The role of this experiential component in the pathogenesis of delusion is still not understood. Focussing on delusions of alien control, we outline a model for reality testing competence on unusual experien...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inMind & language Vol. 20; no. 2; pp. 141 - 162
Main Authors Hohwy, Jakob, Rosenberg, Raben
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Oxford, UK; Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Ltd/Inc 01.04.2005
Blackwell
Subjects
Behavioural psychology
Clinical psychology
Epistemology. Philosophy of science. Theory of knowledge
Foreigners
Human behaviour
Linguistics
Mental illness
Philosophy
Psychology
Schizophrenia
Illusion
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary::  Some monothematic types of delusions may arise because subjects have unusual experiences. The role of this experiential component in the pathogenesis of delusion is still not understood. Focussing on delusions of alien control, we outline a model for reality testing competence on unusual experiences. We propose that nascent delusions arise when there are local failures of reality testing performance, and that monothematic delusions arise as normal responses to these. In the course of this we address questions concerning the tenacity with which delusions are maintained, their often bizarre content, the patients’ inability to dismiss them, and their often circumscribed character.
Bibliography:istex:6E52C62A5AC4DE51940C5E4E9B429F10F7653D1C
ark:/67375/WNG-TC8FLQJ5-K
ArticleID:MILA280
We are grateful to Linda Barclay, Ian Gold, Philip Gerrans, Tim Bayne, Chris Frith, Martin Davies, Ruth Campbell, and an anonymous referee for helpful comments and suggestions.
ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
content type line 23
ISSN:0268-1064
1468-0017
DOI:10.1111/j.0268-1064.2005.00280.x