On the adaptive advantage of always being right (even when one is not)

We propose another positive illusion – overconfidence in the generalisability of one’s theory – that fits with McKay & Dennett’s (M&D’s) criteria for adaptive misbeliefs. This illusion is pervasive in adult reasoning but we focus on its prevalence in children’s developing theories. It is a strongly held conviction arising from normal functioning of the doxastic system that confers adaptive advantage on the individual

Deluzije u dvofaktorskoj teoriji: patološke ili adaptivne?

In this paper we ask whether the two-factor theory of delusions is compatible with two claims, that delusions are pathological and that delusions are adaptive. We concentrate on two recent and influential models of the two-factor theory: the one proposed by Max Coltheart, Peter Menzies and John Sutton (2010) and the one developed by Ryan McKay (2012). The models converge on the nature of Factor 1 but diverge about the nature of Factor 2. The differences between the two models are reflected in different accounts of the pathological and adaptive nature of delusions. We will explore such differences, considering naturalist and normativist accounts of the pathological and focusing on judgements of adaptiveness that are informed by the shear-pin hypothesis (McKay and Dennett 2009). After reaching our conclusions about the two models, we draw more general implications for the status of delusions within two-factor theories. Are there good grounds to claim that delusions are pathological? Are delusions ever adaptive? Can delusions be at the same time pathological and adaptive?U ovom članku razmatramo kompatibilnost dvofaktorske teorije s dvjema tvrdnjama: da su deluzije patološke i da su deluzije adaptivne. U središte razmatranja stavljamo dva nedavna i utjecajna modela dvofaktorske teorije: model Maxa Colthearta, Petera Menziesa i Johna Suttona (2010) i model Ryana McKayja (2012). Modeli se podudaraju u shvaćanju naravi Faktora 1, ali razilaze se u razumijevanju naravi Faktora 2. Razlike između modela odražavaju se u različitim objašnjenjima patološke i adaptivne naravi deluzija. Istražit ćemo navedene razlike s obzirom na naturalistička i normativistička objašnjenja patoloških svojstava i fokusirajući se na sudove o adaptivnosti utemeljene na „shear-pin“ hipotezi (McKay i Dennett 2009). Nakon donošenja zaključaka o dvama modelima, dolazimo do općenitijih implikacija o položaju deluzija u dvofaktorskim teorijama. Postoje li prihvatljiva uporišta za tvrdnju da su deluzije patološke? Jesu li deluzije ikada adaptivne? Mogu li deluzije istovremeno biti i patološke i adaptivne

Spectators’ aesthetic experiences of sound and movement in dance performance

In this paper we present a study of spectators’ aesthetic experiences of sound and movement in live dance performance. A multidisciplinary team comprising a choreographer, neuroscientists and qualitative researchers investigated the effects of different sound scores on dance spectators. What would be the impact of auditory stimulation on kinesthetic experience and/or aesthetic appreciation of the dance? What would be the effect of removing music altogether, so that spectators watched dance while hearing only the performers’ breathing and footfalls? We investigated audience experience through qualitative research, using post-performance focus groups, while a separately conducted functional brain imaging (fMRI) study measured the synchrony in brain activity across spectators when they watched dance with sound or breathing only. When audiences watched dance accompanied by music the fMRI data revealed evidence of greater intersubject synchronisation in a brain region consistent with complex auditory processing. The audience research found that some spectators derived pleasure from finding convergences between two complex stimuli (dance and music). The removal of music and the resulting audibility of the performers’ breathing had a significant impact on spectators’ aesthetic experience. The fMRI analysis showed increased synchronisation among observers, suggesting greater influence of the body when interpreting the dance stimuli. The audience research found evidence of similar corporeally focused experience. The paper discusses possible connections between the findings of our different approaches, and considers the implications of this study for interdisciplinary research collaborations between arts and sciences

Mental Capacity and Decisional Autonomy: An Interdisciplinary Challenge

With the waves of reform occurring in mental health legislation in England and other jurisdictions, mental capacity is set to become a key medico-legal concept. The concept is central to the law of informed consent and is closely aligned to the philosophical concept of autonomy. It is also closely related to mental disorder. This paper explores the interdisciplinary terrain where mental capacity is located. Our aim is to identify core dilemmas and to suggest pathways for future interdisciplinary research. The terrain can be separated into three types of discussion: philosophical, legal and psychiatric. Each discussion approaches mental capacity and judgmental autonomy from a different perspective yet each discussion struggles over two key dilemmas: whether mental capacity and autonomy is/should be a moral or a psychological notion and whether rationality is the key constitutive factor. We suggest that further theoretical work will have to be interdisciplinary and that this work offers an opportunity for the law to enrich its interpretation of mental capacity, for psychiatry to clarify the normative elements latent in its concepts and for philosophy to advance understanding of autonomy through the study of decisional dysfunction. The new pressures on medical and legal practice to be more explicit about mental capacity make this work a priority

Differential Diagnosis of Late Onset Psychosis Using Neuropsychological Assessment and Neuroimaging Techniques

Few references in the literature have been made with respect to the diagnosis of late onset psychosis by the use of behavioral observations coupled with neuropsychological and neuroimaging techniques. This is a report of the case of a 68-year-old woman who experienced a sudden onset of psychotic illness characterized by delusions and confabulation. As part of her neurobehavioral evaluation, a SPECT scan revealed right frontal and left anterior temporal lobe hypoperfusion. Serial neuropsychological evaluations demonstrated decline on tests of executive control (monitoring, allocation of attention, perseveration) and visuospatial abilities, whereas performance in other areas of cognitive functioning remained close to the normal range for the patient\u27s age and educational level. Over the same period of time MRI and neurological examinations were within normal limits. Thus, there was little evidence to diagnose dementia. The patient did not have a fundamental disorder of thinking or profound deterioration in mental or social functioning, so a diagnosis of late life onset schizophrenia was not made. It is suggested that impairment in executive control with a diminished capacity to process perceptual information can give rise to psychotic behavior characterized by late onset psychosis. The review of the literature provides a nosology for late onset psychosis, which follows a succinct neuroanatomical review of the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobe function found to be involved with the psychotic underpinnings of the disorder. This work culminates with a research study wherein specific neuropsychological and neuroirnaging tests sensitive to late onset psychosis would be delivered to three elderly cohort groups to aid in early detection and differential diagnosis of late onset psychosis. It is expected that proficiency on neuropsychological tests sensitive to visuospatial organization will be compromised for individuals having late onset psychosis. It is also expected that these individuals will demonstrate a low total score on a neuropsychiatric inventory scale. It is postulated that MRI will demonstrate subcortical white matter intensities not found in late life onset schizophrenia or frontotemporal dementia. Additionally, it is hypothesized that the SPECT scan of individuals having late onset psychosis will demonstrate hypoperfusion to the right frontal, right parietal, and anterior left temporal regions

Schizophrenia among Sesotho speakers in South Africa

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical presentation of schizophrenia among Sesotho speakers. Method: A sample of 100 participants diagnosed with schizophrenia was evaluated using the Psychiatric Interview Questionnaire. Results: Core symptoms of schizophrenia among Sesotho speakers do not differ significantly from other cultures. However, the content of psychological symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations is strongly affected by cultural variables. Somatic symptoms such as headaches, palpitations, dizziness and excessive sweating were prevalent among the Sesothospeaking participants suffering from schizophrenia. Conclusion: In South Africa, as is the case throughout the African continent, health professionals are still trained in Western models, especially DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10. Certain changes should be made to these models to account for cultural differences that were found in this research.Keywords: Culture; Schizophrenia; clinical manifestations; symptom