A cognitive morphology of psychopathology

Article Abstract:

Much of traditional psychology classifies various disorders on the basis of the patients' behaviors. The author argues that this approach, which does not consider cognitive processes occurring within a patient's mind, has limitations for the development of theories of psychopathology. An alternative approach to psychopathology is presented based on principles of cognitive science as well as psychoanalysis. A developmental model, organized by stage, is presented. The first stage, boundary constancy, occurs between two and three months of age when the infant first distinguishes people from background objects. In the recognition stage, reached between six to eight months, the infant begins to distinguish among individuals. This marks the beginning of intense attachment to a few people. In the evocative constancy stage, which begins at 16 to 18 months, the baby can appreciate the existence of objects not immediately visible; in particular, the child may be separated from its mother without undue anxiety since the child may maintain a sense of the mother in her absence. During the self and object constancy level, reached at 30 to 36 months, the child establishes a constancy of self, which is mirrored by the child's precise use of words such as 'I', 'me', and 'mine'. The concrete operational thought level, reached around five years, is defined by the capacity to appreciate the transformation of objects and basic principles of physical entities and operations. Formal operational thought, in which the child begins to manipulate abstract concepts, is reached at about 10 years of age. These abstract concepts include values and principles, as well as an appreciation of personal and cultural relativism. The author describes how disturbances of the normal developmental sequence can result in the various common forms of psychopathology. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Evaluation, Practice, Psychoanalysis, Psychology, Pathological, Psychopathology, Developmental psychology, Cognition in infants, Infant cognition

---

Early and long-term effects of electroconvulsive therapy and depression on memory and other cognitive functions

Article Abstract:

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is recognized as effective treatment for some types of depression, but side effects of this treatment still make it somewhat controversial. Some patients experience memory loss after treatment, characterized by impaired learning of new material and poor retrieval of material learned before treatment. In the present study, data were collected to determine what memory deficits are experienced as a result of ECT. An attempt was also made to determine the effects on memory that could be attributed to ECT and the portion of memory loss due to the depression itself. The study consisted of 20 depressed women and seven depressed men who were, on average, 54.1 years old. All were tested three days before ECT was administered and immediately after therapy. Fourteen of the patients were evaluated further at one month and at six months after therapy. Pre-ECT measures included a depression inventory, intelligence tests, and several memory tests. After therapy, the depression scale was repeated with several of the memory tests. At the end of the ECT series, verbal and visuospatial memory (or anterograde memory) was significantly impaired in subjects, as was their memory for famous people and personal events (examples of retrograde memory). However, at both follow-ups, memory had steadily improved to surpass pre-ECT functioning. Depression and ECT had independent effects on memory. These data confirm the results of similar studies. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Testing, Causes of, Complications and side effects, Depression, Mental, Depression (Mood disorder), Memory, Electroconvulsive therapy, Electroshock, Memory, Disorders of, Memory disorders

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Selective processing of negative information: effects of clinical anxiety, concurrent depression, and awareness
• Abstracts: Coping and mental health in early adolescence. The effects of family structure and SES on family processes in early adolescence
• Abstracts: Suicidal ideation in high school students: depression and other correlates. Use of the modified scale for suicidal ideation with suicide ideators and attempters
• Abstracts: Looming responses to obstacles and apertures: the role of accretion and deletion of background texture. Music cognition and performance: an introduction
• Abstracts: The Meaning of Normative Processes for Energy Conservation. Evaluating Acceptability and Effectiveness of Consumer Energy Conservation Programs

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.