title: A laboratory study of affectivity in schizotypy: subjective and lexical analysis.
abstract: Affective dysfunction is a defining schizotypy feature; yet the majority of studies examining affective dysfunction have largely relied on self-report of trait affect, which reflects only one dimension of emotional experience. Emerging research has explored a second dimension, state affect, using laboratory manipulation, with most finding that schizotypal participants report experiencing less positive/more negative affect than controls. This study expands upon this topic by examining patterns of state affect in psychometrically identified schizotypy through self-report and lexical expression in reaction to emotionally valenced photos. Overall, the schizotypy group reported less positive/more negative affect across affect induction conditions. Both schizotypy and control groups' affect ratings were similar following the unpleasant stimuli; but the schizotypy group's ratings remained significantly less positive/more negative than the control group following the pleasant stimuli. This pattern suggests that the schizotypy group experienced a deficit in emotional reactivity compared to controls in pleasant situations. The schizotypy group also used a higher percentage of negative words and a lower percentage of positive words in vocalized reactions during the pleasant, but not unpleasant, affect induction condition. These results reveal a specific pattern of "in-the-moment" affective dysfunction unique to pleasant situations that is consistent across both subjective experience and lexical expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Louisana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA. gnajol1@tigers.lsu.edu
authors.forename: Gina M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Najolia
authors.forename: Alex S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Kyle S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Minor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D057566:Self Report; D012660:Semantics; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D055815:Young Adult