Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

What psychological condition is characterized by the belief that a significant other has been replaced by a double?

1. Capgras syndrome

2. Fregoli delusion

3. Paranoid schizophrenia

4. Delusional disorder

The correct answer is: Capgras syndrome

The psychological condition characterized by the belief that a significant other has been replaced by a double is Capgras syndrome. This syndrome is classified as a type of delusional misidentification syndrome, where an individual believes that someone close to them, typically a spouse or another important person, has been replaced by an identical-looking impostor. It is thought to arise from a disconnection between the visual recognition and the emotional response to the person, often seen in patients with brain damage or certain psychiatric conditions. Understanding Capgras syndrome provides insight into how the brain processes identity and recognition, highlighting the complexities involved in emotional attachment and the perception of familiar faces. This is distinct from the other conditions presented; Fregoli delusion involves the belief that different people are actually a single person disguising themselves. Paranoid schizophrenia encompasses a broader range of symptoms including delusions and hallucinations, while delusional disorder reflects a condition where the individual has one or more persistent delusions but does not specifically focus on the misidentification of a significant other.