The Behavioral Signature of Permags: Examining the Behavioral Characteristics of Psychometrically Identified Putative Schizotypes

Abstract

Perceptual aberrations and magical ideation have been found to be indicators of Meehl's construct of schizotypy and, more generally, psychosis. Research on social anhedonia (Collins, 2002) indicates that those putatively at-risk for developing schizophrenia spectrum disorders are different from controls on behavioral observations. Extending recent research (Collins, 2002) and determining its replicability in individuals with perceptual aberrations and magical ideation (PerMags), the utility of behavioral sign ratings in the identification of putative schizotypes was examined. Subjects (N = 117) drawn from a diverse community sample were selected based on responses on the Perceptual Aberration and Magical Ideation Scales and were then videotaped. Group differences on dimensions of behavioral schizotypal characteristics between the PerMag and control groups were examined, under the assumption that putatively high-risk individuals would demonstrate elevated levels of behavioral schizotypal characteristics. Results revealed no significant differences between groups. Possible explanations for these findings, including sampling differences, are discussed.