Self-consciousness, self-agency, and schizophrenia.
Empirical approaches on topics such as consciousness, self-awareness, or introspective perspective, need a conceptual framework so that the emerging, still unconnected findings can be integrated and put into perspective. We introduce a model of self-consciousness derived from phenomenology, philosophy, the cognitive, and neurosciences. We will then give an overview of research data on one particular aspect of our model, self-agency, trying to link findings from cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Finally, we will expand on pathological aspects of self-agency, and in particular on psychosis in schizophrenia. We show, that a deficient self-monitoring system underlies, in part, hallucinations and formal thought (language) disorder in schizophrenia. We argue, that self-consciousness is a valid construct and can be studied with the instruments of cognitive and neuroscience.
Kircher
Tilo T J
TT
Department of Psychiatry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. tilo.kircher@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Leube
Dirk T
DT
D001364:Awareness / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003243:Consciousness / Q000502:physiology*; D004532:Ego; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010469:Perceptual Distortion / Q000502:physiology; D018187:Personal Construct Theory; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology