Aberrant Beliefs and Reasoning [Paperback]

An aberrant belief is extreme or unusual in nature. In the most serious cases these beliefs cause emotional distress in those who hold them, and typify the core symptoms of psychological disorders. Each of the chapters in this volume seeks to examine the role that biases in reasoning can play in the formation of aberrant beliefs.

The chapters consider several conjectures about the role of reasoning in aberrant belief, including the role of the jumping to conclusion bias in delusional beliefs, the probabilistic bias in paranormal beliefs, the role of danger confirming reasoning in phobias, and the controversial notion that people with schizophrenia do not succumb to specific forms of reasoning bias. There are also chapters evaluating different theoretical perspectives, and suggestions for future research.

Aberrant Beliefs and Reasoningis the first volume presenting an overview of contemporary research in this growing subject area. It will be essential reading for academics and students in the fields of human reasoning, cognitive psychology and philosophy, and will also be of great interest to clinicians and psychiatrists.

Introduction, Niall Galbraith1. A psychological model of delusional belief: Integrating reasoning biases with perceptual, self-concept and emotional factors, Niall Galbraith and Ken Manktelow2. Prediction-error and two-factor theories of delusion formation: Competitors or allies? Kengo Miyazono, Lisa Bortolotti and Matthew R. Broome3. Reasoning and delusions: Do people with delusions really jump to conclusions? Rob Dudley and Kate Cavanagh4. Affect, Dual Processes and some Pertinent Questions about Delusional Reasoning. Stephanie Rhodes and Claire Jones5. Reasoning in schizophrenia. Amelia Gangemi and Valentina Cardella6. Paranormal believers proneness to probabilistic reasoning blse