Working memory and multidimensional schizotypy: dissociable influences of the different dimensions

Compromised working memory is considered a core deficit of schizophrenia and a potential endophenotype for the liability to develop schizophrenia. In keeping with this suggestion, working memory has also been found to be disrupted in people with high levels of schizotypy. However, it is unclear whether this disruption is linked to positive, negative, or disorganized symptoms/characteristics. This issue is the focus of the present investigation. The relationship between multidimensional schizotypy and working memory performance was investigated in 289 participants. Working memory was measured using an n-back task with three conditions; 0-back, 1-back, and 2-back. Covarying for the effect of shared variance between the schizotypy dimensions, we found reduced working memory performance in participants who displayed high levels of positive schizotypy and, to some extent, in participants with low levels of negative schizotypy. The results are discussed in terms of Baddeley's (1986) model of working memory and potential underlying neurological mechanisms.