title: Do schizophrenics give rare word associations?
abstract: For the past 50 years, researchers have been trying to demonstrate that schizophrenics give uncommon word associations. Although secondary sources largely agree that these demonstrations have been successful a review of the most frequently cited studies reveals that there has been an uncritical acceptance of inadequately documented data. Errors in experimental design, methodology, and even data analysis are described. The support that these data provide for the hypothesis that schizophrenics give rare word associations is illusory. Theories based on the relationship between schizophrenia and rare word associations should either be revised or supported by empirical evidence that such a relationship exists.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D012106:Research; D012564:Schizophrenic Language; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D014936:Word Association Tests