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Reaction time slowing during high-load, sustained-attention task performance in relation to psychometrically
1Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA. mlenzen@wjh.harvard.edu
Journal of Abnormal Psychology
|May 19, 2001
Summary
Individuals with high schizotypy traits exhibit slower reaction times on sustained-attention tasks. This study found slower performance in high Perceptual Aberration Scale (PAS) individuals, suggesting a specific attention deficit in schizotypy.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psychopathology
Background:
- Schizotypy is linked to attention deficits, particularly in performance accuracy on sustained-attention tasks.
- Previous research indicates deficits in d' on tasks like the Continuous Performance Test-Identical Pairs (CPT-IP).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sustained-attention performance in psychometric schizotypy, focusing on reaction time (RT).
- To examine if reaction time (RT) slowing in schizotypy is influenced by mental state or intellectual ability.
Main Methods:
- Assessed reaction time (RT) and performance accuracy (d') on the Continuous Performance Test-Identical Pairs (CPT-IP).
- Compared 31 high Perceptual Aberration Scale (PAS) subjects with 26 normal controls from a university population.
Main Results:
- High PAS subjects showed significantly longer reaction times (RT) on the CPT-IP compared to controls.
- No significant difference in performance accuracy (d') was found between high PAS and control groups.
- Slower RT was not attributable to mental state or general intellectual ability.
Conclusions:
- Sustained-attention deficits in schizotypy may manifest as reaction time (RT) slowing rather than solely accuracy deficits.
- The observed RT slowing warrants further investigation into its relationship with schizophrenia development models.
