title: The Capgras delusion: a critique of its psychodynamic theories.
abstract: The psychodynamic explanations for the Capgras delusion are reviewed. A critique is offered, showing how these theories fail to account for several important clinical phenomena found in patients with the Capgras delusion. A new psychodynamic theory is suggested that attempts to encompass all of the significant clinical phenomena. This hypothesis is based on findings in a series of fourteen schizophrenic patients with the typical delusion. The focus is on the patient's loss of a stable sense of identity. By the process of projection the patient ascribes his identity diffusion to those around him who are then seen as unreal impostors.
mesh_terms: D002194:Capgras Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D003702:Delusions / Q000523:psychology; D004532:Ego; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011385:Projection; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012043:Regression, Psychology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012649:Self Concept