Effects of weight intensity on discrimination thresholds of normals and schizophrenics.

20 male chronic schizophrenics, 12 chronic disturbed schizophrenics, and 20 normal controls were tested for upper difference limens from both a 40-gm (light) and 400-gm (heavy) standard weight. Weight discrimination thresholds were found to be significantly elevated as a function of severity of pathology in the schizophrenic groups and also at the lighter weight intensity. Both groups of schizophrenics showed significantly greater improvement than normals with the heavy weights. The less disturbed chronic schizophrenics were not significantly different from normals at the heavy intensity. The results support the hypothesis of a schizophrenic deficit in proprioceptive acuity and suggest that this deficit is the result of insufficient proprioceptive feedback. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stimulus generalization among schizophrenics and normal subjects.

Compared schizophrenic and normal groups on a stimulus generalization (SG) task and attempted to explore whether differences in SG among schizophrenics were related to the type of reinforcement applied during acquisition or to diagnostic subtype. 48 chronic poor premorbid schizophrenics and 48 normal controls reached criterion on a size discrimination task under either praise or censure conditions and then were administered an SG task. Schizophrenics showed significantly greater SG than normals, but no differences were found between the praised and censured groups or between paranoid and nonparanoid schizophrenics. (19 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Contextual effects on the short-term memory retrieval of schizophrenic young adults.

Two experiments were performed to determine if the dysfunction in mnemonic organization often found in schizophrenic free-recall performance is the result of an organizational deficit in short-term memory processing. In Exp I, which tested 16 schizophrenics, 16 nonschizophrenic psychiatric patients, and 16 nonpatient controls, categorical cues (letters and digits) were introduced into a Sternberg item recognition task. Schizophrenics utilized the categorical cue to reduce their latencies for search and retrieval as well as did both normals and nonschizophrenic psychiatric patients. In Exp II, which used a Sternberg context-recall task and tested the same number and type of Ss (31 also served in Exp I), latencies for both forward and backward sequential retrieval were measured. Schizophrenics again performed as well as controls. Data also suggest that the retrieval strategies adopted by schizophrenics were comparable to those of controls in both experiments. It is concluded that schizophrenics' short-term memory processes for categorical and sequential materials are adequate and therefore are not responsible for the organizational dysfunction in their free-recall performance. (38 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Proprioception in schizophrenics and normals: Effects of stimulus intensity and interstimulus interval.

Obtained weight discrimination thresholds for 18 schizophrenics and 18 normals at various levels of weight intensity and presentation interval. The discrimination performances of all Ss were evaluated in terms of Weber ratio scores and the number of correct discriminations for each test condition. Differential effects attributable to diagnosis were found, with schizophrenics performing with less accuracy than normals at the lowest level of weight intensity. The different presentation intervals did not yield significant differences in discrimination. It is concluded that there is a proprioceptive deficit in schizophrenia which is due to inadequate sensory input and not to insufficient proprioceptive memory. Signal-detection theory is acknowledged as providing a possible alternative explanation of the results. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Short-term visual memory in schizophrenics.

Hypothesized that the deficit of poor premorbid schizophrenics in backward masking is due to interference in short-term visual memory (STVM) because of the tendency to process a pattern mask as if it were a cognitive mask. The hypothesis was tested in a backward-masking picture-recognition paradigm, using data from 32 male psychiatric patients (aged 18–55 yrs) and 14 hospital personnel. The 12 good premorbid schizophrenics, 7 nonschizophrenic psychotics, and normal Ss all showed differential pattern- and cognitive-mask performance. The performances of 13 poor premorbids were equivalent on both mask types. Findings corroborate the hypothesis. It is suggested that integration of stimuli in poor premorbids' sensory storage was intact and that the disruption in processing caused by a pattern mask at 200–300 msec was due to an interference in STVM. It is concluded that the hypothesis of a deficit in perceptual organization best accounts for the apparent disruptions in poor premorbids' STVM. (70 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social competence and posthospital outcome among schizophrenic and nonschizophrenic psychiatric patients.

Although E. Zigler and L. Phillips (see 37:1 and 38:6) contend that an identical relationship between premorbid social competence and prognosis is found in both a schizophrenic and nonschizophrenic hospital population, supporting data are not presented. To test this hypothesis, the 3-yr posthospital outcomes of 81 schizophrenic and 85 nonschizophrenic previously hospitalized patients were separately related to the Zigler and Phillips' Social Competence Scale. The results indicate that among schizophrenics social competence is positively related to 2 out of 5 indexes of posthospital outcome: incidence (p     

Sources of judgmental impairment in paranoid and nonparanoid schizophrenics.

While it is known that schizophrenic patients perform more poorly than nonschizophrenics on most cognitive tasks, the specific nature of their impairment is unclear. Social judgment theory suggests both procedures and analyses that may clarify this situation. The present study evaluated the performance of schizophrenics on the judgment indices of task knowledge and cognitive control. 12 paranoid schizophrenics, 12 nonparanoids, and 12 nonschizophrenic psychiatric patients completed 60 trials of a complex judgment task. Although all Ss were males, they were not controlled for age, education, or intelligence variables. Some Ss were rated with the Short Scale for Rating Paranoid Schizophrenia. Both groups of schizophrenics performed more poorly than normals, although only nonparanoids demonstrated significant impairment. Analysis of the component indices of performance indicated that the schizophrenic subgroups demonstrated contrasting forms of impairment. Paranoids evidenced poorer task knowledge than nonschizophrenics, whereas nonparanoids were impaired on control. Results may have relevance for identifying sources of cognitive dysfunction and for suggesting differential therapeutic strategies with these patients. (34 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Preferred interpersonal distance as a function of locus of control orientation in chronic schizophrenics, nonschizophrenic patients, and normals.

Used a new instrument, the Comfortable Interpersonal Distance scale, to reassess the relationship between psychopathology and interpersonal distance. It was predicted that, since schizophrenics are more external than normals and since externality has been shown to be related to greater preferred distance from others, 20 female schizophrenics theoretically should prefer greater distance, in general, from interpersonal stimuli. 20 female nonschizophrenic patients were included as controls for the "externalizing" effects of hospitalization. Results show that schizophrenics were more external than nonschizophrenics, who were more external than 20 normals. Preferred distance from interpersonal stimuli as measured by the Comfortable Interpersonal Distance scale was greatest for schizophrenics and least for normals. Implications for future research and treatment of schizophrenic patients are discussed. (16 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Size estimation in schizophrenics: A review and reanalysis.

Attempts to sort out the sources of some of the inconsistent findings in terms of a detailed examination of between-studies differences in task and S variables. It is concluded that acute good premorbid schizophrenics show small but consistent size underestimation. Acute poor premorbid schizophrenics show a small but reliable tendency toward size overestimation. Paranoid schizophrenics underestimate, while nonparanoids overestimate, stimulus size. Among all schizophrenic groups the effects of drug status and relative acuteness or chronicity are at present not well specified. More research on task variables such as memory and viewing time is clearly required. A reanalysis of some previous data indicates that schizophrenics did not differ from normals in perceptual accuracy. The question of attributing differences in size estimation to a sensory process is raised. The present theories of flexibility, scanning, and redundancy do not provide complete explanations of the data. With the relevant variables more precisely identified, progress toward a more complete theory may be made. (28 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Skin conductance basal level and reactivity in schizophrenia as a function of chronicity, premorbid adjustment, diagnosis, and medication.

Examined the skin conductance basal level and GSR of 384 male schizophrenics divided into subgroups according to chronicity, premorbid adjustment, diagnosis, and medication. 10 male psychiatric aides served as normal controls. Results indicate that basal level differences between schizophrenic subgroups or between schizophrenics and normals were mainly due to long-term institutionalization. The novelty of the experimental situation, as contrasted with the usual minimal stimulation domicile of the chronic patient, resulted in extensive responsivity not exhibited by the acute schizophrenic, other hospitalized patients, or normals. An interaction of premorbid adjustment and diagnosis within the chronicity subgroups was also found. The GSR differences between schizophrenic subgroups were primarily due to begin on or off medication, and this was mainly evident in the premorbid adjustment grouping. The results of an examination of social censure stimulus effects were not supportive of a social censure hypothesis. (35 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The structure of word storage in the permanent memory of nonpsychotic schizophrenics.

Conducted 2 experiments to assess the storage structure of common English words in the memory of young nonpsychotic schizophrenics. 37 schizophrenic and 12 nonschizophrenic psychiatric patients and 36 normals were Ss in the 2 experiments. Ss in both experiments sorted words on the basis of the similarity of relatedness they perceived, but Ss in Exp II performed this task under time pressure. Assuming that the structure underlying these sortings reflects the storage structure of memory, a method of cluster analysis was applied to the data. The structural features extracted for all Ss were very similar to each other. A group difference was found in the S's sorting strategy, but its effect on the main findings was minimal. It is concluded that the storage structure of words in the memory of schizophrenics is probably intact. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Perceptual categorizations of love and anger cues in schizophrenics.

The 1st study identified 4 filmed scenes indicative of high love, high anger, medium love, and medium anger. The 2nd study compared 30 good premorbid schizophrenics and 30 normals on the high love and high anger scenes. They were not differentiated on the high love scene. On the high anger scene, the normals reported significantly more anger than the good premorbids. The 3rd study evaluated 48 poor premorbid schizophrenics, 48 good premorbid schizophrenics, and 48 normals on 4 scenes of high love, high anger, medium love, and medium anger. The good premorbids and the normals were not different on the high love scene, but significantly different from the poor premorbids. On the high anger scene, good and poor premorbids were significantly different from normals. (18 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Visual pattern integration in psychiatric patients.

Tested 32 psychiatric inpatients (approximate mean age 23 yrs) with a modification of C. Eriksen and J. Collins's visual pattern integration test (1967). Ss were divided into schizophrenic and nonschizophrenic groups and were compared with 20 hospital staff and 20 college students. The visual pattern integration functions of schizophrenics were found to be different from those of college students, but no other group differences were found. Among the inpatients, no correlations were found between visual pattern integration and premorbid adjustment, symptomatology, or various clinical/demographic factors. The one group difference appears to be the result of variables such as age and task motivation. It is concluded that icon-processing abnormalities, as represented by visual pattern integration deficits, cannot account for posticonic abnormalities found in schizophrenics. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interaction Patterns of Parents and Hospitalized Sons Diagnosed as Schizophrenic or Nonschizophrenic.

Ss of the present study were 74 sets of parents and their biological sons. All offspring were hospitalized for psychiatric reasons with 24 bearing a nonschizophrenic diagnosis and 50 diagnosed as schizophrenic. Dominant and conflictful behavior was elicited by asking each of the 3 family members individually how they would resolve 6 hypothetical problem situations, and then bringing all 3 together and asking them how they would resolve the same 6 problems as a family. With regard to dominance, the only differences found were that poor premorbid schizophrenic patients were less dominant than were the control sons. Several indexes indicated that parents of poor premorbid schizophrenic patients experienced more conflict in interacting with each other than did parents of controls. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Performance of good and poor premorbid male schizophrenics as a function of paternal vs. maternal censure.

The hypothesis that interference in schizophrenic performance depends on an interaction between level of premorbid adjustment, paternal vs. maternal source of stimulation, and censuring vs. approval content was tested. 4 tape recordings were played for 80 good and 80 poor premorbid adjustment schizophrenics—father-son censure, father-son approval, mother-son censure, and mother-son approval. Performance was measured by a change from a pre- to post-Digit-Symbol test. The hypothesis was confirmed—good premorbids show interference with paternal censure and poor premorbids with maternal censure. A comparison group of 80 normals did not show this kind of interaction. (18 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Impairment in abstract responses of schizophrenics, neurotics, and brain-damaged patients

Attempted to identify a deficit in information input that may be specific to schizophrenia. The Ss were 60 male 19–58 yr old veterans representing 5 groups of 12 each: normals, neurotics, paranoid schizophrenics, nonparanoid schizophrenics, and brain-damaged patients. In the present and previous studies scores on single- and multiple-proverbs tests were analyzed to show effects of stimulus enrichment and practice gain in identifying this deficit. Previous studies differentiate normals and schizophrenics, demonstrate the deficit over a range of schizophrenic severity, and show that the deficit is independent of general loss of competence. Results of the present study indicate that the deficit is present over the paranoid–nonparanoid continuum; that it is absent in normals, neurotics, and brain-damaged patients; and that it is not a function of such intellectual factors as education and vocabulary. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychotic patterns of the concept of the object on the Rorschach test.

An object concept scoring system developed by S. Blatt et al (see record 1976-29990-001) was applied to Rorschach tests obtained from 67 psychotic and 18 nonpsychotic patients aged 18–55 yrs. The psychotics were diagnosed across 3 dimensions: schizophrenia, premorbid functioning, and paranoia. Psychotics, compared to nonpsychotics, showed higher levels of articulation and integration of the concept of the object on inaccurately perceived (F–) responses. Furthermore, schizophrenics showed more of the psychotic pattern than did nonschizophrenic psychotics. No major differences were found for good vs poor premorbid psychotics or paranoid vs nonparanoid schizophrenics. Results are interpreted as evidence supporting the explanation that the psychotic individual cannot effectively utilize existing ego potential for higher levels of integrated and organized behavior. Instead, the greater ego resources are absorbed in the unrealistic fantasy and symptomatic behavior that interfere with rather than facilitate effective adaptation. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Word association repertoires of schizophrenics and normals.

The work association repertoires of 3 association responses of 20 poor and 20 good premorbid nonparanoid schizophrenics were not more deviant than those of 20 normals. There was significantly greater commonality in the 1st association response than in the 2nd response which, in turn, showed greater commonality than the 3rd response. These results suggest that schizophrenic language disorders are not due to overall language deficiency and partially support the disturbance viewpoint. A 3rd viewpoint is proposed, based on a 2-stage process involving nondeviant associations with inadequate cognitive controls as differentiating schizophrenics from normals. The hierarchical order for frequency given by the Russell-Jenkins norms obtains for both discrete and extended word association responses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Maintenance of grip-induced muscle tension: A behavioral marker of schizophrenia.

A grip-induced muscle tension maintenance task distinguished between schizophrenic patients, regardless of medication or hospitalization status, and both normals and controls with affective (unipolar and bipolar) disorders. Unaffected 1st-degree relatives of schizophrenic patients also showed a grip deficit. Coupling the grip task with a visual discrimination task that divided attention through instruction or reinforcement contingency increased grip error times for all groups. No group differences appeared on the discrimination task, regardless of difficulty level, and the tone used to provide corrective feedback was not implicated in the grip deficit. The results suggest that the grip task is tapping, in a systematic and reliable manner, a motor-control abnormality that may be useful as a behavioral marker of schizophrenia. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Immunoglobulin levels in psychiatric patients

In a study of 19 schizophrenic patients, 7 nonschizophrenic patients, and 31 controls, the authors found significantly higher mean serum levels of 1) immunoglobulin A in schizophrenic women then in control women and in schizophrenic blacks than in either schizophrenic whites or black controls. 2) immunoglobulin D in schizophrenic blacks than in schizophrenic whites, 3) immunoglobulin M in controls than in nonschizophrenic patients, and 4) immunoglobulin G (IgG) in schizophrenics whose urine was positive for phenothiazines than in schizophrenics whose urine was negative for phenothiazines. High serum levels of IgG were associated with no or mild hallucinations and low levels with moderate or severe hallucinations. Black female patients had significantly more severe hallucinaions than white female patients. The authors discuss the possible implications of these findings.