Lower levels of information processing in some areas of the brain suggest cognition is impaired. e.g. reduced processing in the ventral striatum is associated with negative symptoms.
Meta representation
The ability to reflect on your thoughts & behaviours. This dysfunction disrupts our ability to recognise our thoughts as our own. This could lead to the sensation of hearing voices (hallucinations).
Central control dysfunction
Central control is the cognitive ability to suppress automatic responses when performing deliberate actions.
People with SZ can't suppress these automatic responses because each thought triggers automatic associations that they can't supress.
AO3 - Dysfunctional thought
Strength) Studies comparing the performance on a range of cognitive tasks between people with and without SZ found that SZ people took twice as long to name font colours.
-> supports the view that the cognitive processes in SZ people are impaired.
AO3 - Psychological vs Biological
Limitation) The cognitive approach provides a good explanation for the symptoms of SZ, suggesting that it is a psychological condition. However, abnormal cognition is probably partly genetic in origin.
-> suggests that even though SZ has psychological symptoms, it is perhaps best seen as a biological condition.
