title: Schizophrenic performance during interpersonal competitive conditions.
abstract: Two equivalent forms of four standardized tests were administered to 41 schizophrenics, 36 patients with personality disorder diagnoses, and 36 employees at the Wyoming State Hospital. Each diagnostic group was divided into experimental and control groups; the experimental Ss from each diagnostic group took the second form of each test under paired, competitive conditions. The competitive conditions did not affect the experimental Ss' performance on any of the four tests to an acceptably significant level, although the experimental Ss from each diagnostic group performed better on a visual-motor task at a borderline level of significance. The results of the research are interpreted as supporting previous competition research that showed competitive conditions to be highly task-specific. The results do not support the numerous theories and some research studies that suggest that competitive conditions impair schizophrenic functioning.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001244:Association; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005556:Form Perception; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000150:complications; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014796:Visual Perception