cognitive explanation evaluation

• a strength of the cognitive explanation of schiz is the practical application to therapy with the development of CBTp

  • there is consistent evidence that CBTp is useful in reducing symptom severity and improving levels of social functioning in those w schiz
  • the effectiveness of CBTp in managing schiz supports the theory that cognitive dysfunctions are key to understanding the disorder
• the cognitive explanation of schiz is highly theoretical, the description of the way in which these thought processes cause symptoms is based on hypothetical reasoning

  e.g viewing negative symptoms as an attempt to manage high levels of mental stimulation cannot be directly observed
• the cognitive explanation can be criticised for being descriptive rather than explanatory

  it describes a number of dysfunctional processes, but it fails to fully explain why they occur in the first place
• HOWES and MURRAY 2014 suggest an integrated model of schiz which includes biological vulnerability coupled with social stressors that lead to increased dopamine activity. the individual then makes sense of the increased mental activity using biased cognitive processing

  therefore suggesting that whilst cognitive processes play a role in schiz, it is not the primary cause
• there are issued with the establishing cause and effect with the cognitive explanation.

  • it's unclear whether dysfunctional thought processes are a cause of schiz or simply a symptom of having the disorder

  however, O'Carroll has reported in their review of research, that changes in cognitive functioning precede the onset of schiz. indicating that cognitive impairment may be a causal factor