The response of chronic schizophrenics to verbal signals

Abstract

In this paper a report is given of a comparison of the reaction time of normal and chronic schizophrenic subjects to sound signals and to word signals. Reaction times to words are shown to be significantly slower than reaction times to meaningless sounds for some subjects though not for all. Those who show the slowed response may be described as withdrawn. The phenomenon is not necessarily characteristic of schizophrenia although results are not unequivocal. A hypothesis that paranoid schizophrenics who conditioned slowly to verbal rewards in a previous study would also show slowed RTs to word signals was not confirmed. The phenomena appear to be independent. The authors wish to thank Dr. E.P.H. Charlton, Physician Superintendent of Banstead Hospital, and Dr. H.C. Beccle, Physician Superintendent of Springfield Hospital, who kindly made available the facilities for this investigation. They are also indebted to their colleagues for encouragement and criticism.