Features of the processing of social context during generalization in patients with schizotypic disorder

Abstract

The subject of this research is a study of the correlation between actualization of latent, including subjective, features of object with specific deficit of social context in patients with schizotypic disorder. Were manifested the different ways of an actualization of a social context depending on stimulus material. Was differentiated a latent type of generalization. In research took a part 82 respondents: 20 patients with schizotypic disorder, 20 patients with paranoid schizophrenia and 42 research participants without mental disorders. Was applied the modified variant of experimental technique "Exclusion of objects" including two series of tests involving the variation of semantic connections between the objects and strengthening of hidden, connotative, emotionally loaded properties of objects. The main study findings describe the specifics of deficit of the processing of social context in schizotypic disorder compared with paranoid patients and control sample: 1) in patients with schizotypic disorder was identified the deficit of a specific, socially significant, typical internal context is shown with relative keeping of the objective social typical context; 2) in study groups was found out heterogeneity of responses by the type of latent generalization outside the given "key": respondents from clinical groups based on subjective, individual experience and accidental features; control sample – on secondary, but objective features and on the social, cultural and universalistic experience; 3) in group of patients with schizotypic disorder was shown a deficit of the processing of negative emotional context at intactness of the positive emotional context in contrast to the sample of patients with paranoid schizophrenia.