Learning Objectives
- Describe the biological causes of dissociative disorders.
- Describe the cognitive causes of dissociative disorders.
- Describe the sociocultural causes of dissociative disorders.
- Describe the psychodynamic causes of dissociative disorders.
Biological
While studies on the involvement of genetic underpinnings need additional research, there is some suggestion that heritability rates for dissociation rage from 50-60% (Pieper, Out, Bakermans-Kranenburg, Van Ijzendoorn, 2011). However, it is suggested that the combination of genetic and environmental factors may play a larger role in the development of dissociative disorders than genetics alone (Pieper, Out, Bakermans-Kranenburg, Van Ijzendoorn, 2011).
Cognitive
One proposed cognitive theory of dissociative disorders, particularly dissociative amnesia, is a memory retrieval deficit. More specifically, Kopelman (2000) theorizes that the combination of psychological stress and various other biopsychosocial predispositions affects the frontal lobes executive system’s ability to retrieve autobiographical memories (Picard et al., 2013). Neuroimaging studies have supported this theory by showing deficits to several prefrontal regions, which is one area responsible for memory retrieval (Picard et al., 2013). Despite these findings, there is still some debate over which specific brain regions within the executive system are responsible for the retrieval difficulties, as research studies have reported mixed findings.
Specific to dissociative identity disorder, neuroimaging studies have shown differences in hippocampus activation between subpersonalities (Tsai, Condie, Wu & Chang, 1999). As you may recall, the hippocampus is responsible for storing information from short-term to long-term memory. It is hypothesized that this brain region is responsible for the generation of dissociative states and amnesia (Staniloiu & Markowitsch, 2010).
Sociocultural
The sociocultural model of dissociative disorders has been primarily influenced by Lilienfeld and colleagues (1999) who argue that the influence of mass media and its publications of dissociative disorders, provide a model for individuals to not only learn about dissociative disorders but also engage in similar dissociative behaviors. This theory has been supported by the significant increase in dissociative identity disorder cases after the publication of Sybil, a documentation of a woman’s 16 subpersonalities (Goff & Simms, 1993).
These mass media productions are not just suggestive to patients. It has been suggested that mass media also influences the way clinicians gather information regarding dissociative symptoms of patients. For example, therapists may unconsciously use questions or techniques in session that evoke dissociative types of problems in their patient following exposure to a media source discussing dissociative disorders.
Psychodynamic
The psychodynamic theory of dissociative disorders assumes that dissociative disorders are caused by an individual’s repressed thoughts and feelings related to an unpleasant or traumatic event (Richardson, 1998). In blocking these thoughts and feelings, the individual is subconsciously protecting himself from painful memories.
While a single incidence of repression may explain dissociative amnesia, psychodynamic theorists believe that dissociative identity disorder results from repeated exposure to traumatic experiences, such as childhood abuse, neglect, or abandonment (Dalenberg et al., 2012). According to the psychodynamic perspective, children who experience repeated traumatic events such as physical abuse or parental neglect lack the support and resources to cope with these experiences. To escape from their current situation, children develop different personalities to essentially flee the dangerous situation they are in. While there is limited scientific evidence to support this theory, the nature of severe childhood psychological trauma is consistent with this theory, as individuals with dissociative identity disorder have the highest rate of childhood psychological trauma compared to all other psychiatric disorders (Sar, 2011).
Key Takeaways
You should have learned the following in this section:
- Though there is some evidence for a genetic component to dissociative disorders, a combination of genes and environment are thought to play a larger role.
- A cognitive explanation assumes a memory retrieval deficit, particularly related to dissociative amnesia, and differential hippocampus activation between subpersonalities in dissociative identity disorder.
- Mass media is also purported to have caused a rise in dissociative disorders due to the attention it gives these disorders in its publications and movies such as Sybil.
- Finally, repressed thoughts and feelings are thought to be the cause of dissociative disorders in the psychodynamic theory.
Review Questions
- How do the biological, cognitive, sociocultural, and psychodynamic perspectives differ in their explanation of the development of dissociative disorders?
