Studying delusions within research domain criteria: The challenge of configural traits when building a mechanistic foundation for abnormal beliefs

Abstract

Our understanding of belief formation, maintenance, and change is in its infancy, yet it is absolutely essential to make progress in understanding these processes to parse the puzzle of psychotic delusions. In this companion to Bebbington and Freeman, I consider a number of Research Domain Criteria constructs that may be helpful for exploring these processes but ultimately conclude (following Risen) that delusions are likely the result of several systems failing. I close with 4 recommendations for making progress: (1) prepare to study a variable space defined by several relevant constructs, (2) include the study of "unsanctioned"constructs, (3) examine the relationships between brain regions, rather than the local abnormalities, and (4) develop rigorous computational models of delusions.