| Abstract: | Explored the ability of 288 schizophrenics and controls (aged 25–50 yrs) to perform 2 types of conceptual tasks, attribute identification and rule learning, that differ in the type and level of abstraction processes required. In addition, number of available aids to memory was varied. Schizophrenics were not impaired relative to controls in solving attribute-identification problems that required the application of a simple conceptual rule to concrete, physical attributes of the stimuli. However, they were impaired on more abstract, rule-learning problems. Further, schizophrenics were not able to use memory aids beyond 1 available prior instance to facilitate their performance in either task. Schizophrenics demonstrated positive transfer of training across 3 problems based on the same rule, but in amounts relatively smaller than demonstrated by controls. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
