Communication as Fundamental Paradigm for Psychopathology
The Oxford Handbook of 4E Cognition October 9, 2018 DOI: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198735410.013.43
Summary
Cognitive science theories either highlight internal mental representations or emphasize a person's interaction with their environment. The latter, known as 4E cognition (extended, embodied, enactive, embedded), includes socially embedded cognition, which proposes the dyad of two interaction partners as the fundamental unit of analysis. This communication-centered approach is relevant for understanding psychopathological norm deviations. Although a rich tradition reconstructs different syndromes as communication disorders, this perspective has not been fully acknowledged. The chapter presents these core ideas to stimulate discussion that could substantially influence research in psychopathology and psychiatry.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 5 |
| Key finding | A communication-centered, interactive approach to psychopathology, grounded in 4E cognition, offers a potentially influential framework for understanding mental disorders as disorders of communication. |
Abstract
Abstract Theoretical positions in cognitive sciences either emphasize the role of internal representations within the cognitive system of the person or focus on the person’s interaction with the environment. The latter position has been recently explicated in different ways under the formula of 4E cognition (extended, embodied, enactive, embedded). Focusing on the aspect of socially embedded cognition, the dyad of two interaction partners in a social encounter is proposed as the fundamental unit of analysis. This interactive approach centered around the concept of communication is also of relevance for the understanding of psychopathological norm deviations. Despite a rich tradition that reconstructs different psychopathological syndromes as disorders of communication, this account of psychopathology has not been fully acknowledged. It is the aim of this chapter to present the core ideas of this perspective and to stimulate the discussion that has potentially substantial influence on various research topics in psychopathology and psychiatry.