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Orepic P, Bernasconi F, Faggella M, Faivre N, Blanke O. Robotically-induced auditory-verbal hallucinations: combining self-monitoring and strong perceptual priors. Psychol Med 2024; 54:569-581. [PMID: 37779256 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723002222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inducing hallucinations under controlled experimental conditions in non-hallucinating individuals represents a novel research avenue oriented toward understanding complex hallucinatory phenomena, avoiding confounds observed in patients. Auditory-verbal hallucinations (AVH) are one of the most common and distressing psychotic symptoms, whose etiology remains largely unknown. Two prominent accounts portray AVH either as a deficit in auditory-verbal self-monitoring, or as a result of overly strong perceptual priors. METHODS In order to test both theoretical models and evaluate their potential integration, we developed a robotic procedure able to induce self-monitoring perturbations (consisting of sensorimotor conflicts between poking movements and corresponding tactile feedback) and a perceptual prior associated with otherness sensations (i.e. feeling the presence of a non-existing another person). RESULTS Here, in two independent studies, we show that this robotic procedure led to AVH-like phenomena in healthy individuals, quantified as an increase in false alarm rate in a voice detection task. Robotically-induced AVH-like sensations were further associated with delusional ideation and to both AVH accounts. Specifically, a condition with stronger sensorimotor conflicts induced more AVH-like sensations (self-monitoring), while, in the otherness-related experimental condition, there were more AVH-like sensations when participants were detecting other-voice stimuli, compared to detecting self-voice stimuli (strong-priors). CONCLUSIONS By demonstrating an experimental procedure able to induce AVH-like sensations in non-hallucinating individuals, we shed new light on AVH phenomenology, thereby integrating self-monitoring and strong-priors accounts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavo Orepic
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Neuro-X Institute & Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fosco Bernasconi
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Neuro-X Institute & Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Melissa Faggella
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Neuro-X Institute & Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nathan Faivre
- University Grenoble Alpes, University Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LPNC, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Olaf Blanke
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Neuro-X Institute & Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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2
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Sheffield JM, Smith R, Suthaharan P, Leptourgos P, Corlett PR. Relationships between cognitive biases, decision-making, and delusions. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9485. [PMID: 37301915 PMCID: PMC10257713 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36526-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple measures of decision-making under uncertainty (e.g. jumping to conclusions (JTC), bias against disconfirmatory evidence (BADE), win-switch behavior, random exploration) have been associated with delusional thinking in independent studies. Yet, it is unknown whether these variables explain shared or unique variance in delusional thinking, and whether these relationships are specific to paranoia or delusional ideation more broadly. Additionally, the underlying computational mechanisms require further investigation. To investigate these questions, task and self-report data were collected in 88 individuals (46 healthy controls, 42 schizophrenia-spectrum) and included measures of cognitive biases and behavior on probabilistic reversal learning and explore/exploit tasks. Of those, only win-switch rate significantly differed between groups. In regression, reversal learning performance, random exploration, and poor evidence integration during BADE showed significant, independent associations with paranoia. Only self-reported JTC was associated with delusional ideation, controlling for paranoia. Computational parameters increased the proportion of variance explained in paranoia. Overall, decision-making influenced by strong volatility and variability is specifically associated with paranoia, whereas self-reported hasty decision-making is specifically associated with other themes of delusional ideation. These aspects of decision-making under uncertainty may therefore represent distinct cognitive processes that, together, have the potential to worsen delusional thinking across the psychosis spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Sheffield
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1601 23rd Ave S, Nashville, TN, 37209, USA.
| | - Ryan Smith
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, USA
| | | | - Pantelis Leptourgos
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, USA
- University of Lille, Lille, France
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3
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Kuhn SAK, Andreou C, Elbel G, Lieb R, Zander-Schellenberg T. Reasoning biases and delusional ideation in the general population: A longitudinal study. Schizophr Res 2023; 255:132-139. [PMID: 36989670 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2023.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reasoning biases have been suggested as risk factors for delusional ideation in both patients and non-clinical individuals. Still, it is unclear how these biases are longitudinally related to delusions in the general population. We hence aimed to investigate longitudinal associations between reasoning biases and delusional ideation in the general population. METHODS We conducted an online cohort study with 1184 adults from the German and Swiss general population. Participants completed measures on reasoning biases (jumping-to-conclusion bias [JTC], liberal acceptance bias [LA], bias against disconfirmatory evidence [BADE], possibility of being mistaken [PM]) and delusional ideation at baseline, and delusional ideation 7 to 8 months later. RESULTS A greater JTC bias was associated with a greater increase in delusional ideation over the following months. This association was better described by a positive quadratic relationship. Neither BADE, LA nor PM were associated with subsequent changes in delusional ideation. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that jumping-to-conclusions predicts delusional ideation in the general population but that this association may follow a quadratic trajectory. While no other associations turned significant, future studies with shorter temporal distances may shed further light on the role of reasoning biases as risk factors for delusional ideation in non-clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Anne Kezia Kuhn
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Christina Andreou
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Translational Psychiatry Unit, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Gregory Elbel
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Roselind Lieb
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thea Zander-Schellenberg
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland.
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4
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Moritz S, Göritz AS, Franz C, Sibilis A, Voßberger H, Balzan R, Scheunemann J. Whodunit - A novel video-based task for the measurement of jumping to conclusions in the schizophrenia spectrum. Psychiatry Res 2022; 317:114862. [PMID: 36228437 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Jumping to conclusions (JTC) is implicated in the formation and maintenance of the positive symptoms of psychosis and over the years has become a prominent treatment target. Yet, measures designed to detect JTC are compromised by a number of limitations. We aimed to address some of these shortcomings with a new video-based "Whodunit task" among participants scoring high and low on the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE). We recruited a large sample (N = 979) from the general population who were divided into subgroups high vs. low on psychotic-like experiences (PLE), matched for depression and background characteristics. In the Whodunit task, participants were asked to rate the likelihood that one out of six suspects was the perpetrator of a crime (deliberately ambiguous with no clear clues until the end). The primary measure was the number of sequences-to-decision (STD). In line with the hypothesis, participants scoring high on the CAPE positive subscale displayed significantly lower STD and a higher rate of JTC. Response confidence in the assessments was elevated in the PLE-High group. The number of overall decisions was also significantly elevated for the PLE-High group. No group differences were found when comparing those scoring high versus low on depression. The STD index correlated significantly with a corresponding index from another JTC task. The study presents a new paradigm for the measurement of data gathering in the schizophrenia spectrum. Speaking to its validity, the Whodunit task was correlated with another JTC measure. Future research should test abbreviated versions of the paradigm, preferably using multiple trials with differing topics/emotional themes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Moritz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Anja S Göritz
- Occupational and Consumer Psychology, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Cynthia Franz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Arne Sibilis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Henry Voßberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ryan Balzan
- College of Education, Psychology & Social Work, Flinders University, Australia
| | - Jakob Scheunemann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Gregersen M, Rohd SB, Jepsen JRM, Brandt JM, Søndergaard A, Hjorthøj C, Knudsen CB, Andreassen AK, Veddum L, Ohland J, Wilms M, Krantz MF, Burton BK, Greve A, Bliksted V, Mors O, Clemmensen L, Nordentoft M, Thorup AAE, Hemager N. Jumping to Conclusions and Its Associations With Psychotic Experiences in Preadolescent Children at Familial High Risk of Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder-The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study, VIA 11. Schizophr Bull 2022; 48:1363-1372. [PMID: 35849023 PMCID: PMC9673250 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbac060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The jumping to conclusions (JTC) bias, ie, making decisions based on inadequate evidence, is associated with psychosis in adults and is believed to underlie the formation of delusions. Knowledge on the early manifestations of JTC and its associations with psychotic experiences (PE) in children and adolescents is lacking. DESIGN Preadolescent children (mean age 11.9 y, SD 0.2) at familial high risk of schizophrenia (FHR-SZ, n = 169) or bipolar disorder (FHR-BP, n = 101), and controls (n = 173) were assessed with the Beads Task to examine JTC. The number of beads drawn before making a decision, "draws to decision" (DTD) was used as a primary outcome. PE were ascertained in face-to-face interviews. General intelligence was measured with Reynolds Intellectual Screening Test. RESULTS Children at FHR-SZ took fewer DTD than controls (4.9 vs 5.9, Cohen's d = 0.31, P = .004). Differences were attenuated when adjusting for IQ (Cohen's d = 0.24, P = .02). Higher IQ was associated with a higher number of DTD (B = 0.073, P < .001). Current subclinical delusions compared with no PE were associated with fewer DTD in children at FHR-SZ (P = .04) and controls (P < .05). Associations between delusions and DTD were nullified when accounting for IQ. CONCLUSIONS JTC marks familial risk of psychosis in preadolescence, not reducible to general intelligence. JTC is associated with subclinical delusions, but this may be an expression of intellectual impairment. Future studies should establish temporality between JTC and delusion formation and examine JTC as a target for early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Gregersen
- To whom correspondence should be addressed; CORE–Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 15, 4th Floor, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark; tel: +45 23 41 21 62, e-mail:
| | - Sinnika Birkehøj Rohd
- CORE–Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research–iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jens Richardt Møllegaard Jepsen
- CORE–Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research–iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark,Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julie Marie Brandt
- CORE–Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research–iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Søndergaard
- CORE–Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research–iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carsten Hjorthøj
- CORE–Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research–iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark,Department of Public Health, Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christina Bruun Knudsen
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research–iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark,Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital Psychiatry, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anna Krogh Andreassen
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research–iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark,Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital Psychiatry, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lotte Veddum
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research–iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark,Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital Psychiatry, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jessica Ohland
- CORE–Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research–iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Martin Wilms
- CORE–Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research–iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mette Falkenberg Krantz
- CORE–Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research–iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Klee Burton
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark,Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Aja Greve
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research–iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark,Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital Psychiatry, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Vibeke Bliksted
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research–iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark,Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital Psychiatry, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ole Mors
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research–iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark,Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital Psychiatry, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lars Clemmensen
- CORE–Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Merete Nordentoft
- CORE–Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research–iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Amalie Elgaard Thorup
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research–iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark,Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nicoline Hemager
- CORE–Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research–iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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6
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Rethinking delusions: A selective review of delusion research through a computational lens. Schizophr Res 2022; 245:23-41. [PMID: 33676820 PMCID: PMC8413395 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Delusions are rigid beliefs held with high certainty despite contradictory evidence. Notwithstanding decades of research, we still have a limited understanding of the computational and neurobiological alterations giving rise to delusions. In this review, we highlight a selection of recent work in computational psychiatry aimed at developing quantitative models of inference and its alterations, with the goal of providing an explanatory account for the form of delusional beliefs in psychosis. First, we assess and evaluate the experimental paradigms most often used to study inferential alterations in delusions. Based on our review of the literature and theoretical considerations, we contend that classic draws-to-decision paradigms are not well-suited to isolate inferential processes, further arguing that the commonly cited 'jumping-to-conclusion' bias may reflect neither delusion-specific nor inferential alterations. Second, we discuss several enhancements to standard paradigms that show promise in more effectively isolating inferential processes and delusion-related alterations therein. We further draw on our recent work to build an argument for a specific failure mode for delusions consisting of prior overweighting in high-level causal inferences about partially observable hidden states. Finally, we assess plausible neurobiological implementations for this candidate failure mode of delusional beliefs and outline promising future directions in this area.
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7
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Balzan RP, Gilder M, Nancarrow T, Mavrangelos T, Wade TD. Hasty decision-making in individuals at higher risk of developing an eating disorder. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2022; 75:101717. [PMID: 34929485 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2021.101717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The Jumping to Conclusions (JTC) bias is the tendency to make hasty decisions based on limited evidence and may contribute to the formation of over-valued beliefs about the importance of weight, shape and eating. Previous research investigating the JTC bias in clinical eating disorder samples, as assessed by the beads task, is inconclusive. The current study investigated the JTC bias in a non-clinical sample of undergraduate students identified as being lower or higher risk of developing an eating disorder. The study used a more reliable 'distractor' beads task that also incentivised hastier decisions by elevating the pressure of the task. METHODS Female undergraduate students (N = 156, 48%, classified as higher risk) completed a pressure and non-pressure distractor beads task, along with measures of weight concern and body-image flexibility. RESULTS Higher risk participants displayed a hastier decision-making style than lower risk participants. Task pressure elicited a hastier decision-making style across the whole sample, however, was unable to distinguish between higher and lower eating disorder risk status. LIMITATIONS Interpretation of findings are limited to non-clinical samples and may not generalise to clinical eating disorder populations. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest the need for replication in a clinical eating disorder sample using the distractor beads task. Future research should investigate whether eating disorder salient stimuli elicits a stronger bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan P Balzan
- College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work, Flinders University, Australia; Blackbird Initiative, Órama Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Australia.
| | - Madeline Gilder
- College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work, Flinders University, Australia
| | - Tenille Nancarrow
- College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work, Flinders University, Australia
| | - Teri Mavrangelos
- College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work, Flinders University, Australia
| | - Tracey D Wade
- College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work, Flinders University, Australia; Blackbird Initiative, Órama Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Australia
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8
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Xenaki LA, Stefanatou P, Ralli E, Hatzimanolis A, Dimitrakopoulos S, Soldatos RF, Vlachos II, Selakovic M, Foteli S, Kosteletos I, Nianiakas N, Ntigridaki A, Triantafyllou TF, Voulgaraki M, Mantonakis L, Tsapas A, Bozikas VP, Kollias K, Stefanis NC. The relationship between early symptom severity, improvement and remission in first episode psychosis with jumping to conclusions. Schizophr Res 2022; 240:24-30. [PMID: 34915248 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
It is suggested that Jumping To Conclusions (JTC) reasoning bias might contribute to the distortion of external reality. However, the association between psychotic manifestations and JTC is obscure, especially if general intelligence is considered as a mediator. The aim of this study is to investigate the relation between severity, early clinical improvement and remission of symptoms in First Episode Psychosis (FEP) with JTC as an explanatory factor. One hundred seventy-one FEP individuals were evaluated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) at baseline and one month after treatment initiation. Clinical improvement was ascribed as symptom change one-month post-baseline measurements. Symptomatic remission was assessed with the Andreasen severity criteria and JTC with the Beads Task, operationalized through Draws To Decision (DTD) (the lower the number of DTD, the higher the JTC bias). Regarding symptoms severity, total psychotic, total positive psychotic, and hallucinations-item PANSS scores showed a negative association with JTC after controlling for IQ. Regarding early clinical improvement, the association with JTC was non-significant. No significant association was detected between one month remission status of FEP and JTC. Our findings indicate that severity of positive symptoms is not associated with hastiness in decision-making, but rather with a heightened conservatism in terms of increased data gathering. Further research is required to replicate the results and clarify the cognitive processes involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lida Alkisti Xenaki
- 1st Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece.
| | - Pentagiotissa Stefanatou
- 1st Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Eirini Ralli
- 1st Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Alex Hatzimanolis
- 1st Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stefanos Dimitrakopoulos
- 1st Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece; Psychiatric Clinic, 414 Military Hospital of Athens, Palea Penteli, Greece
| | - Rigas Filippos Soldatos
- 1st Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Ilias I Vlachos
- 1st Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Mirjana Selakovic
- 1st Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stefania Foteli
- 1st Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Kosteletos
- 1st Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikos Nianiakas
- 1st Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Aggeliki Ntigridaki
- 1st Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Marina Voulgaraki
- 1st Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Leonidas Mantonakis
- 1st Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Apostolos Tsapas
- 2nd Medical Clinic, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vasilios P Bozikas
- 2nd Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Kollias
- 1st Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikos C Stefanis
- 1st Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
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9
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Kuhn SAK, Lieb R, Freeman D, Andreou C, Zander-Schellenberg T. Coronavirus conspiracy beliefs in the German-speaking general population: endorsement rates and links to reasoning biases and paranoia. Psychol Med 2021; 52:1-15. [PMID: 33722315 PMCID: PMC8027560 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721001124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus-related conspiracy theories (CT) have been found to be associated with fewer pandemic containment-focused behaviors. It is therefore important to evaluate associated cognitive factors. We aimed to obtain first endorsement rate estimates of coronavirus-related conspiracy beliefs in a German-speaking general population sample and investigate whether delusion-related reasoning biases and paranoid ideation are associated with such beliefs. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional non-probability online study, quota-sampled for age and gender, with 1684 adults from Germany and German-speaking Switzerland. We assessed general and specific coronavirus conspiracy beliefs, reasoning biases [jumping-to-conclusions bias (JTC), liberal acceptance bias (LA), bias against disconfirmatory evidence (BADE), possibility of being mistaken (PM)], and paranoid ideation, using established experimental paradigms and self-report questionnaires. RESULTS Around 10% of our sample endorsed coronavirus-related CT beliefs at least strongly, and another 20% to some degree. Overall endorsement was similar to levels observed in a UK-based study (Freeman et al., 2020b). Higher levels of conspiracy belief endorsement were associated with greater JTC, greater LA, greater BADE, higher PM, and greater paranoid ideation. Associations were mostly small to moderate and best described by non-linear relationships. CONCLUSIONS A noticeable proportion of our sample recruited in Germany and German-speaking Switzerland endorsed coronavirus conspiracy beliefs strongly or to some degree. These beliefs are associated with reasoning biases studied in delusion research. The non-probability sampling approach limits the generalizability of findings. Future longitudinal and experimental studies investigating conspiracy beliefs along the lines of reasoning are encouraged to validate reasoning aberrations as risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Anne Kezia Kuhn
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Roselind Lieb
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Freeman
- Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis, University Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, OxfordOX3 7JX, UK
| | - Christina Andreou
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Translational Psychiatry Unit, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Thea Zander-Schellenberg
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Scheunemann J, Fischer R, Moritz S. Probing the Hypersalience Hypothesis-An Adapted Judge-Advisor System Tested in Individuals With Psychotic-Like Experiences. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:612810. [PMID: 33746792 PMCID: PMC7969715 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.612810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with psychotic-like experiences and psychosis gather and use information differently than controls; in particular they seek and rely on less information or over-weight currently available information. A new paradigm, the judge-advisor system, has previously been used to investigate these processes. Results showed that psychosis-prone individuals tend to seek less advice but at the same time use the available advice more. Some theoretical models, like the hypersalience of evidence-matching hypothesis, predict that psychosis-prone individuals weight recently available information to a greater extent and thus provide an explanation for increased advice-weighting scores in psychosis-prone individuals. To test this model, we adapted the previously used judge-advisor system by letting participants receive consecutively multiple pieces of advice. To meet this aim, we recruited a large MTurk community sample (N = 1,396), which we split in a group with high levels of psychotic-like experiences (at least 2 SD above the mean, n = 80) and a group with low levels of psychotic-like experiences (maximum 0.5 SD above the mean, n = 1,107), using the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences' positive subscale. First, participants estimated five people's age based on photographs. Then, they received consecutive advice in the form of manipulated age estimates by allegedly previous participants, with outliers in some trials. After each advice, participants could adjust their estimate. This procedure allowed us to investigate how participants weighted each currently presented advice. In addition to being more confident in their final estimates and in line with our preregistered hypothesis, participants with more frequent psychotic-like experiences did weight currently available advice more than participants with less frequent psychotic-like experiences. This effect was especially pronounced in response to outliers, as fine-grained post-hoc analysis suggested. Result thus support models predicting an overcorrection in response to new incoming information and challenges an assumed general belief inflexibility in people with psychotic experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Scheunemann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rabea Fischer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Steffen Moritz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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