Capgras Delusion Research Paper

Darby McDaniel
Mrs. Robertson
AVID 11 Period 2
22 August 2012
The Capgras Delusion
Vocabulary:
1.) Lynch-pin: a central cohesive source of support and stability Sentence: I suppose you could call my mom my lynch-pin, she’s always got my back.
2.) Neuropsychological: of or concerned with studies the structure and function of the brain as they relate to specific psychological processes and behaviors Sentence: Capgras Delusion is a type of neuropsychological disorder. 3.) Cognitive: of or pertaining to the mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning. Sentence: People use their cognitive skills every day, with reading, math, or communication. 4.) Psychoanalytical: of or relating to or incorporating the
methods and theory of psychiatric treatment originated by Sigmund Freud Sentence: Psychoanalytical pertains to questioning functions of the brain, these theories are originated from Sigmund Freud. 5.) Amygdala: an almond-shaped neural structure in the anterior part of the temporal lobe of the cerebrum; intimately connected with the hypothalamus and the hippocampus and the cingulate gyrus; as part of the limbic system it plays an important role in motivation and emotional behavior Sentence: The amygdala is an imperative piece of the brain, controlling reactions, behavior, and familiarity.
Summary:
Capgras Delusion is a disorder of the brain affecting the connection between sight and the temporal lobe, most likely involving the amygdala.
As a result, the patient believes familiar people, pets, and places are all ill-intentioned imposters. Others can attempt reasoning with the patient, however, no quantity of debate would convince them otherwise. The patient tries using common sense to counteract their unusual beliefs, but the unfamiliarity is so compelling it cannot be done. This disorder has no correlation to cognitive problems; the patient has no issues with reasoning. In all, Capgras Delusion is a neuropsychological disorder affecting the connection between sight and familiarity, caused by a separation from the visual pathways of the temporal lobe and the
amygdala. Those suffering from Capgras Delusion can recognize people, pets, and places along with any emotional background; however, they do not feel acquaintance when seeing said people, pets, and places.
For example, a man suffering from Capgras Delusion can remember important events and emotions shared with his wife. Although, when she is present, he believes she is an imposter because he cannot feel certain emotions upon seeing her. This condition does not affect the connection between hearing and familiarity, therefore whenever the patient is on the phone with someone familiar, they feel emotions connected to that person, making that person not an imposter. When the patient is at home with the “imposter,” they believe everything set around them is a dupe created by the “imposter.” Pets are included in the set-up, as well as entire homes, although the home is in the same location. In conclusion, Capgras Delusion affects not only the brain, but the patient’s relations and feelings towards people, pets, and
places.
Analysis:
The importance of Capgras Delusion is the understanding of the human brain; an explanation on how seeing people affect our emotions. It might be a stretch, but I believe these studies could improve advertisements by using nostalgia to persuade people to use their products. Possibly, if one feels familiarity with the product, they might feel more inclined to purchase it. I for one would probably buy anything relating to The Little Mermaid or the Powerpuff girl named Bubbles because that is what I familiarized myself with as a child. Upon seeing those characters I feel sense of joy from remembering all the fun I had wasting time watching these characters. Capgras Delusion is such a rare and mysterious disorder; I do not believe a great quantity of time should be wasted on a non-life threatening disorder, but rather used to contemplate other perplexing factors of the vast mind.