In this week’s session we will explore information processing and transformations of information. The DMM has focused on cognition and affect as two primary sources of information, which fits nicely with two primary patterns of information processing. Recently the DMM has started incorporating somatic information. These three types of information are summarized below.
Is neuroception and vagal information a fourth source of information, and if so how does it fit into the DMM? Some theorists say there are not 5 or 6 sources of information, but 10-20. How can we make sense of all this in terms of attachment A and C, and B/A-C blended and alternating patterns? Is somatic information only important to informing C-strategies as Crittenden et al., below describe, or does it inform all strategies but in unique ways?
The act of processing information necessarily involves the transformation of information in the world to information in the neural systems. The DMM identifies seven different ways humans can transform information. We will explore the difference between the seven transformations, such as the difference between omitted vs. denied and distorted vs. delusional. In terms of affective information, are emotions and feelings transformed in ways different from cognitive information? Are there other transformations you have identified?
A CSI Whitepaper on information processing and transformation provides an overview of the topic.
This session is open-host. Bring your questions, problems cases, and case examples that helped you understand these issues.
From Attachment and Family Therapy, Crittenden, Dallos, Landini, & Kozlowska (2014) (Kindle Locations 836-860) (emphasis added):
“Somatic information: Danger can be represented in the form of bodily states of the body. Discomfort, increased arousal, high muscle tone and pain are some of the somatic representations of danger. These can be ways of knowing (unconsciously or pre-consciously) or communicating (directly, non-verbally) about danger. The changes in somatic information about danger towards comfort, lower arousal, relaxation or pleasure represent safety. Somatic DRs reflect the immediate state of the self.
“Cognitive information: Represents sequences of events, that is, the temporal order of events, that lead to predictable outcomes, particularly dangerous or safe outcomes. When sequences are predictable and include the individual’s behaviour, they are easier to represent and learn. Perceptions recognized as part of a sequence allow cognitive DRs about when danger and safety are going to occur.
“Affective information: Sensory aspects of the environment can represent danger or safety. Some aspects are innate (darkness, emptiness, sudden loud noises, certain tastes) and others are acquired by association with dangerous or safe outcomes. Intense, unexpected, and quick rapid perceptual changes activate somatic states representing danger whereas mild, rhythmic and predictable, and rhythmic changes activate somatic states representing safety. Both innate and learned perceptual.
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“Type C strategy: For individuals using a Type C strategy, danger is represented and communicated using mainly somatic and affective DRs, treating cognitive DRs as irrelevant or misleading. This is usually associated with an environment with changing and unpredictable dangers, where shifting attention to new perceptual conditions is advantageous for survival.”
Please join us, and invite your colleagues.
Date: Tuesday, August 18 (live) & Thursday, August 20 (video replay), 2020 (Friday, August 21 in Australia/Asia)
Length: 60 minutes
Price: Free
Host/Facilitator: Open host
Platform: Zoom meeting
Sponsor: Conflict Science Institute
Multiple sessions: Each session will be unique, please join both!
Session times: Times listed below, PLEASE NOTE, some computer calendars do not automatically handle the time zone conversion correctly.
Session A (live) (EU/US): Tuesday, August 18, 2020, 9:00 a.m. Seattle (UTC -7) (12 noon Miami, and 5:00 p.m. London time.)
Session B (video replay) (AUS/Asia/US/EU): Thursday August 20 2:00 p.m. Seattle time (5:00 p.m. Miami, 10:00 p.m. London, and (in Australia/Thailand/China on Friday) at 9:00 a.m. in Auckland, 7:00 a.m. in Sydney, 5:00 a.m. in Perth/China, and 4:00 a.m. in Bangkok.