A Social Deafferentation Hypothesis for Induction of Active Schizophrenia | Zendy

Roy E. Hoffman | Zendy

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A Social Deafferentation Hypothesis for Induction of Active Schizophrenia

Author(s) -

Roy E. Hoffman

Publication year - 2007

Publication title -

schizophrenia bulletin

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 3.823

H-Index - 190

eISSN - 1745-1707

pISSN - 0586-7614

DOI - 10.1093/schbul/sbm079

Subject(s) - psychology , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , social isolation , emotionality , spurious relationship , psychosis , cognition , social cognition , cognitive psychology , sensory system , meaning (existential) , developmental psychology , neuroscience , psychotherapist , psychiatry , machine learning , computer science

The "social brain" of humans reflects widespread neural resources dedicated to understanding the conversational language, emotionality, states of mind, and intentions of other persons. A social deafferentation (SDA) hypothesis for induction of active schizophrenia is proposed. Analogous to hallucinations produced by sensory deafferentation, such as phantom limb, the SDA hypothesis assumes that high levels of social withdrawal/isolation in vulnerable individuals prompt social cognition programs to produce spurious social meaning in the form of complex, emotionally compelling hallucinations and delusions representing other persons or agents. Arguments against the SDA hypothesis are discussed, and predictions deriving from the hypothesis are offered.

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