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Interacting cognitive subsystems: A systemic approach to cognitive-affective interaction and change.
Authors:
Barnard, P.J. & Teasdale, J.D.
Reference:
Cognition and Emotion, 5, 1-39.
Year of publication:
1991
CBU number:
2475
Abstract:
Interacting Cognitive Subsystems (ICS) is a comprehensive systemic model of the organisation and function of the resources underlying human cognition. We use ICS to provide a conceptual framework for understanding normal and dysfunctional cognitive-affective relationships, and their modification. ICS proposes nine interacting cognitive subsystems, each specialised for handling a specific type of information. We describe the operations of ICS and its account of emotion development and production. ICS emphasises the importance, as part of the total cognitive configuration producing emotion, of a schematic synthetic level of processing that integrates both propositional meaning and direct sensory contributions. Processing at this level corresponds, subjectively, to holistic "sense" or "feeling" rather than to thoughts or images. We contrast ICS with the model underlying cognitive therapy, and illustrate application of the ICS framework to the maintenance of depression and to mood congruent memory.
