Cognitive approaches to posttraumatic stress disorder: the evolution of multirepresentational theorizing.
The evolution of multirepresentational cognitive theorizing in psychopathology is illustrated by detailed discussion and analysis of a number of prototypical models of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Network and schema theories, which focus on a single, explicit aspect/format of mental representation, are compared with theories that focus on 2 or more explicit representational elements. The author argues that the latter theories provide a more complete account of PTSD data, though are not without their problems. Specifically, it is proposed that at least 3 separate representational elements-associative networks, verbal/propositional representations, and schemas-are required to generate a comprehensive cognitive theory of PTSD. The argument that the development of multirepresentational cognitive theory in PTSD is a paradigm case for the development of similar theories in other forms of psychopathology is elaborated, and a brief agenda is proposed promoting 2 levels of theorizing-deep, formal theory alongside more localized, applied theory.
Emotion Research Group, Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, England. tim.dalgleish@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk
Tim
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Dalgleish
D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011582:Psychological Theory; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy*