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Face-Processing Impairments and the Capgras Delusion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Andrew W. Young ,
Ian Reid ,
Simon Wright  and
Deborah J. Hellawell
Andrew W. Young*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE
Ian Reid
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh
Simon Wright
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield
Deborah J. Hellawell
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, Durham
*
∗ Correspondence
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Abstract

Investigations of two cases of the Capgras delusion found that both patients showed face-processing impairments encompassing identification of familiar faces, recognition of emotional facial expressions, and matching of unfamiliar faces. In neither case was there any impairment of recognition memory for words. These findings are consistent with the idea that the basis of the Capgras delusion lies in damage to neuro-anatomical pathways responsible for appropriate emotional reactions to familiar visual stimuli. The delusion would then represent the patient's attempt to make sense of the fact that these visual stimuli no longer have appropriate affective significance.

Type
Brief Reports
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 162 , Issue 5 , May 1993 , pp. 695 - 698
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1993 

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