Explaining negative symptoms

• In terms of explaining the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, the cognitive explanation relies heavily on the work of Beck (2008) and his idea of the cognitive triad. Initially used to help understand depression, Beck believed that it could also provide an explanation as to why individuals suffer from some of the negative symptoms of

  schizophrenia.
• Beck proposed that an individual with schizophrenia possesses dysfunctional beliefs about themselves, their performance and their ability to experience pleasure. He also suggested they hold a cynical view of the future.
• These dysfunctional beliefs, along with their mental filters only allowing in negative messages, can result in individuals having a pessimistic view. This can lead to negative symptoms of schizophrenia such as flatness of affect, anhedonia (not reacting appropriately to pleasurable experiences) and avolition (losing interest and motivation).