Persecutory delusions: a cybernetic model

The authors propose a cybernetic model for the formation and maintenance of persecutory delusions. During the formation of persecutory ideation, the threat of loss of control over the self or others interacts with predictions of control from others. This interaction may result in feelings of alien control followed by persecutory explanations. Since the persecutory explanations provide the individual with a new goal of resisting others' influence in order to prevent being controlled, they reduce the threat of loss of self- control. This is how persecutory delusions are maintained.