Paranoia, sensitization and social inference: findings from two large-scale, multi-round behavioural experiments

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• The sensitization model proposes paranoia stems from heightened sensitivity to social threat.
• Experimental testing of this model has been challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally test the sensitization model of paranoia.
• To investigate if paranoia predicts attributions of harmful intent.
• To examine if anxiety, worry, and interpersonal sensitivity predict harmful intent attributions.

Main Methods:

• Two preregistered social interaction studies were conducted with large general population samples (N=987 and N=1011).
• Participants engaged in multi-round dictator games with varying partner fairness.
• Attributions of harmful intent and self-interest were assessed after each interaction.

Main Results:

• Paranoid ideation was associated with higher and faster attributions of harmful intent, supporting the sensitization model.
• Attributions of self-interest were not affected by paranoia.
• Anxiety, worry, and interpersonal sensitivity did not predict harmful intent attributions.

Conclusions:

• The findings support the sensitization model by linking paranoia to increased attributions of harmful social intent.
• Paranoia may also increase the variability of beliefs regarding others' harmful intentions, particularly in fair social contexts.