Multimethod Assessment of Self-Disturbances in Schizotypy

Abstract

In the contemporary model of self-disorders, the primary self-disturbance present in individuals with schizophrenia is ipseity: the most basic sense of selfhood and our ability to cognize ourselves as subjects of our experiences. Schizotypy refers to traits or symptoms similar to schizophrenia, but in a diminished form, and is thought to reflect a liability for schizophrenia- spectrum disorders. Previous research has discovered an association between high levels of schizotypy and occurrences of self-disturbances, through tasks such as two-point discrimination, weight discrimination, and voice recognition. However, there is not sufficient research on the relationship between self-concept clarity, cognition, and anomalous experiences in those with high schizotypy. In the current study, undergraduates are administered measures of anomalous self-experiences, self-concept clarity, and measures of schizotypy to identify possible relationships between self-disturbances and sub-clinical psychotic symptoms. Results found that accuracy in voice recognition is associated to dimensions of schizotypy. Self-disturbances, and self-disorders in general, are not widely discussed, and this study is important to further understand schizotypy to identify early preventative measures for populations vulnerable to developing schizophrenia.