The factor structure of "schizotypal' traits: a large replication study

The heterogeneity of schizotypal traits, suggested in previous research, was further investigated in a sample of subjects (N = 1095) administered a composite questionnaire consisting of a large number of published scales the majority of which were designed to measure psychotic characteristics. Factor analysis confirmed the four components previously indicated in our work with the same instrument; namely, "aberrant perceptions and beliefs', "cognitive disorganization', "introvertive anhedonia' and "asocial behaviour'. This structure was maintained regardless of whether or not the analysis included scales from the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, which might otherwise have been held to explain the variance. "Aberrant perceptions and beliefs'-reminiscent of the positive symptoms of schizophrenia-was the strongest component; but, given the multidimensional nature of the data, together with the pattern of factor loadings and intercorrelations for the scales involved, it was concluded that the broader term "psychosis-proneness' or "psychoticism' (in a non-Eysenckian sense) might be a better descriptor of the clinical and personality domain sampled.