查看文章

Research into the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders is traditionally divided into two major streams; biogenetic and psychological. This chapter addresses the psychological stream of research into the underpinnings of schizophrenia, particularly for the formation and maintenance of positive symptoms. It is divided into three sections: The first two sections highlight two recent models that—to a different degree—ascribe emotional and cognitive factors a causal role in the pathogenesis of (persecutory) delusions. It starts with the model by Freeman and Garety which outlines six causal mechanisms for persecutory delusions, four of which are emotional in essence. This is followed by the authors' own two-stage model. In the last section, the chapter highlights areas that warrant further empirical research as well as unresolved issues. It leaves aside neurocognitive deficits, although these are …