Understanding the Schematic Representation of Pain and General Symptomatology: The Contribution of the Cognitive Miser Perspective

Abstract

In this study we aimed to investigate the contribution of a model of schema use originally from social psychology, the cognitive miser perspective, to understanding pain and illness representations. Recall of pain and general symptom information was tested under either conditions of cognitive load or no load. If the cognitive miser perspective were to be applicable, schematic information would be better recalled under load, and aschematic information better recalled under no load. This was the case for pain information. However, for general symptom information cognitive load did not influence recall. It was concluded that processing pain information may be better understood from the cognitive miser perspective, but the meaning model of schema use may be more applicable to general symptoms.

Providing children with information about forthcoming medical procedures: A review and synthesis.

“…It has been argued that schemata serve to guide the processing of incoming information, by filtering, selecting, and amplifying information that is consistent with existing memories and expectations (Moss & DiCaccavo, 2005). Younger children, or children with limited experience of a given medical procedure, tend to rely on more general schemata that they consider related to the new context.…”

Impact of a physician's prosocial behavior on the patient's choice: an empirical investigation in online health community

“…Our hypotheses below are developed based on the premise of an influential schema within social psychology called cognitive miser (Moss and DiCaccavo, 2005). The cognitive miser schema suggests that consumers tend to use the heuristic information processing approach, which demands fewer cognitive resources and relies on simple rules or cognitive heuristics rather than message characteristics (Macrae et al, 1994).…”

The subject in cognitive psychotherapy

“…The reliance of Beck"s model upon the schema concept (see, for instance, Clark et al, 1999) allows us to use the metaphor of the cognitive miser in the cognitive therapy field. Moss and DiCaccavo (2005) point out that the cognitive miser is one of the most influential models of the schema function. "The main premise here is that schemata are used as heuristics to reduce an individual"s overall processing load.…”