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Dissociation: cognitive capacity or dysfunction?

Michiel B de Ruiter¹, Bernet M Elzinga, R Hans Phaf

¹Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University, Van der Boechorstsfraat 1, Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. mb.de.ruiter@psy.vu.nl

Journal of Trauma & Dissociation : the Official Journal of the International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSD)

|December 22, 2006

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Nonpathological dissociation, common in the general population, involves high cognitive abilities like attention and memory. This cognitive style can be beneficial but may develop into pathology after trauma.

Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Neuroscience
Psychopathology

Background:

Dissociative experiences are often viewed as risk factors for dissociative pathology.
Nonpathological dissociation is prevalent and may represent a cognitive style, not solely a result of adverse events.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose a theoretical model of nonpathological dissociation.
To investigate the cognitive and neural underpinnings of dissociative experiences.

Main Methods:

Review of behavioral and neural (fMRI, ERPs) studies.
Theoretical modeling of cognitive processes in dissociation.

Main Results:

High dissociative individuals exhibit enhanced attention, working memory, and episodic memory.

Related Experiment Videos

Nonpathological dissociation is linked to high elaboration learning and reconstructive retrieval.

Conclusions:

Nonpathological dissociation may stem from inherent cognitive strengths, including superior memory and attention.
While beneficial in some contexts, this disposition can transition to dissociative pathology following adverse events like trauma.