Psychological factors of schizophrenia

[spikey]

I'm a bit confused about psychological contributing factors to schizophrenia, can anyone help me out?

[nemolala]

Impaired reasoning and impaired memory. They tend to jump to conclusions with little information present, which maintains delusions. Uhmm for impaired memory all memory systems are affected, episodic memory having the most impact.

I know its pretty brief, is this what you were asking for?

[spikey]

Yeah, this is what I read in the book but I'm confused because I see them more as symptoms of schizophrenia rather than contributing factors? :S

[playsimme]

They contribute to schizophrenia as impaired reasoning causes a persistence in delusions - which is a main symptom underpinning schizophrenia. Impaired reasoning = jumping to conclusions = unable to accurately gage the probability of something occuring.. hence thoughts which aren't rational.
Furthermore, impaired memory is a factor which causes disorganised thinking - they're stuck in the present and the majority of them do not know their personal history, hence exacerbating symptoms of disorganisation. As memories are unstable in terms of all memory systems, schizophrenics are unable to receive appropriate treatment at times (in relation to management through CBT etc). Therefore it's a vicious circle