Metaphor processing in high and low schizotypal individuals

Abstract

Two hypotheses were considered regarding the relationship between positive schizotypy and metaphor processing. On the basis of continuity between schizophrenia and schizotypy, high schizotypal individuals would be expected to be impaired at metaphor processing. However, given the right hemisphere processing bias that has been associated with positive schizotypy, they would be expected to be superior at metaphor processing. A story completion task in which participants judged the appropriateness of literal and metaphoric statements was administered to 30 high and 29 low schizotypal individuals. Contrary to both hypotheses, groups did not differ in their ability to discriminate between appropriate and inappropriate statements, whether literal or metaphoric. However, the high schizotypal group demonstrated a less conservative response bias; they were more likely than the low schizotypal group to identify a statement as appropriate, whether it was or was not. Implications of these results for our understanding of language processing in schizophrenia and schizotypy are discussed.