Metamemory in Psychopathology
Résumé
This chapter explores the degree to which various psychopathologies influence metamemory. The literature suggests such patients suffer different impairment patterns rather than global, nonspecific impairments of metamemory processes and the memory-metamemory relationships: Depressed patients present memory and metamemory difficulties; obsessive-compulsive patients appear to suffer from metamemory impairments rather than memory disturbances. ADHD patients suffer more from control process impairments than from monitoring deficits. Patients with autism present metamemory and memory difficulties that are restricted to certain context. The chapter focuses on schizophrenia, as impairments of cognition and consciousness are today considered core symptoms of the illness and contribute to patients ‘difficulties in social and professional integration. Patients with schizophrenia present specific disruptions and selective preservation of the metacognitive processes, as the accuracy of their metamemory monitoring is relatively preserved, whereas their metamemory control is sometimes impaired. The presence of preserved abilities allows for optimism regarding patients’ possibilities to improve their memory.