Some observations on apathetic operant responding of chronic schizophrenics

Schizophrenics and controls (normals and alcoholics) were compared in terms of their rates of talking (on any topic) and button-press responding when they were instructed to respond in certain ways and when they were reinforced for responding under a fixed ratio (FR) schedule. Subjects were given complete information about response-reinforcement relationships under the FR schedule. The results showed that, when subjects were told to talk at different rates, response rates of the schizophrenics and controls were fairly comparable. Reinforced rates of talking and button pressing were higher than non-reinforced rates for both the schizophrenics and controls. However, reinforced rates of talking and button-pressing were lower for the schizophrenics compared to the controls. Such apathetic responding by the schizophrenics could not be attributed readily to medication, to a limited capacity for response, to difficulties in understanding the instructions or the contingencies of reinforcement, to the rates of non-reinforced responding, or to the value of the reinforcer (money). It was suggested that the absence of instructions which told the schizophrenics at what rate to respond under the FR schedule may have been a factor.