From Computation to the First-Person: Auditory-Verbal Hallucinations and Delusions of Thought Interference in Schizophrenia-Spectrum Psychoses

Clara S Humpston, Rick A Adams, David Benrimoh, Matthew R Broome, Philip R Corlett, Philip Gerrans, Guillermo Horga, Thomas Parr, Elizabeth Pienkos, Albert R Powers, Andrea Raballo, Cherise Rosen, David E J Linden

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Schizophrenia-spectrum psychoses are highly complex and heterogeneous disorders that necessitate multiple lines of scientific inquiry and levels of explanation. In recent years, both computational and phenomenological approaches to the understanding of mental illness have received much interest, and significant progress has been made in both fields. However, there has been relatively little progress bridging investigations in these seemingly disparate fields. In this conceptual review and collaborative project from the 4th Meeting of the International Consortium on Hallucination Research, we aim to facilitate the beginning of such dialogue between fields and put forward the argument that computational psychiatry and phenomenology can in fact inform each other, rather than being viewed as isolated or even incompatible approaches. We begin with an overview of phenomenological observations on the interrelationships between auditory-verbal hallucinations (AVH) and delusional thoughts in general, before moving on to review several theoretical frameworks and empirical findings in the computational modeling of AVH. We then relate the computational models to the phenomenological accounts, with a special focus on AVH and delusions that involve the senses of agency and ownership of thought (delusions of thought interference). Finally, we offer some tentative directions for future research, emphasizing the importance of a mutual understanding between separate lines of inquiry.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S56-S66
Number of pages11
JournalSchizophrenia bulletin
Volume45
Issue number45 Suppl 1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2019

Bibliographical note

© The Author(s) 2019

Keywords

  • Delusions/physiopathology
  • Hallucinations/physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Psychotic Disorders/physiopathology
  • Schizophrenia/physiopathology
  • Thinking/physiology

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