Cognitive functioning in schizotypy through the lens of the accessibility model

Individuals with schizotypy self-report subjective cognitive complaints commensurate with deficits reported by individuals with schizophrenia. In contrast to schizophrenia, objective deficits in memory are modest in individuals with schizotypy, as compared to their self-reported cognitive complaints. It has been proposed that abnormalities in semantic memory systems may underlie this dysjunction.

This study employed a modified verbal memory paradigm in a sample of 87 individuals with psychometrically defined schizotypy. Appraisals of memory performance were evaluated across global (i.e. drawing on semantic memory systems and assessing perceived typical performance) and situation-specific (i.e. drawing on episodic memory systems) epochs. Objective memory performance was assessed using a verbal recall paradigm.

Individuals with schizotypy did not differ in situation-specific appraisals or in objective memory performance. Global appraisals of memory performance predicted negative and disorganised schizotypy scores. No other measure of memory performance predicted any facet of schizotypy. Individuals with schizotypy appraised their global memory performance higher than controls at a medium effect.

Higher order global appraisals of cognitive performance, subsumed within semantic networks, may be important in the subjective-objective paradox in schizotypy, suggesting the importance of considering demand characteristics when assessing measures of neurocognitive performance in individuals with schizotypy.