The Effect of Distraction on Schizophrenic Performance (1) Perception and Immediate Memory
ANDREW McGHIE M.A., Ph.D.1,
JAMES CHAPMAN M.B., Ch.B., D.P.M.2, and
J. S. LAWSON M.A.3
1 Director and Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, The Royal Dundee Liff Hospital and the Department of Psychiatry, University of St. Andrews
2 Research Assistant, Department of Psychiatry, University of St. Andrews, Queen's College, Dundee, The Royal Dundee Liff Hospital and the Department of Psychiatry, University of St. Andrews
3 Medical Research Council Research Assistant, The Royal Dundee Liff Hospital and the Department of Psychiatry, University of St. Andrews
A group of 36 schizophrenic patients, 40 normal controls and 20 non-schizophrenic psychotic patients were compared in their performance on some tests examining the effect of distraction on perception and immediate recall. It was demonstrated that the schizophrenic patients were on the whole more distractible than the normal and patient control groups. The tendency was observed for the effects of distraction to be more marked in the case of hebephrenic patients, and also to increase with the chronicity of the schizophrenic illness.
Submitted on June 29, 1964
