Schizotypy and perceptual span in a non-clinical sample: a virtual reality study

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Individuals with high schizotypy or schizophrenia often show impaired spatial attention distribution.
• This impairment leads to a reduced "perceptual span," limiting the extent of visual space processed simultaneously.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between schizotypy and perceptual span in a non-clinical population.
• To determine if perceptual span varies across the full spectrum of schizotypy traits.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-five participants completed the Schizotypy Personality Questionnaire (SPQ).
• A virtual reality head-mounted display was used to present dynamic visual targets.
• Perceptual span was measured by the minimum target separation required for accurate performance.

Main Results:

• Higher schizotypy scores were significantly associated with poorer performance on the attention task.
• The Disorganisation and Cognitive/Perceptual Factors of schizotypy were most predictive of task performance.

Conclusions:

• Schizotypy is a significant predictor of perceptual span in non-clinical samples.
• Reduced perceptual span in individuals with higher schizotypy traits can be reliably measured using virtual reality technology.