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A Function of Chronicity in Schizophrenia

WALTER J. JOHANNSEN, PhD; ROBERT F. TESTIN, PhD

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1966;15(5):492-498.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

IT IS apparent that a perceptual deficit is characteristic of schizophrenia. The diagnosis itself depends on "defective reality contact" and on the presence of cognitive deficiencies which are dependent on inaccurate perceptions. Yet the exact nature of the disturbance is unclear. It may be a result of an allpervasive inefficiency in using sensory information, a defective ability to identify stimuli correctly. If this were the case, schizophrenics should perform poorly on a variety of perceptual tasks. There are many studies which support this viewpoint.^1-4 However, there is an equally convincing body of data^5-8 which suggests that schizophrenics' perceptions are inadequate only in the presence of stimulus elements which are affectively arousing. On the surface, at least, the data are conflicting.

A solution to the problem arises from an analysis by Jenkins,⁹ who speculated that a progressive disorganization of psychological function takes place as schizophrenia becomes increasingly chronic. . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
MILWAUKEE

From the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Marquette University and St. Mary's Hill Hospital (Dr. Johannsen) and the Milwaukee County Mental Health Center (Dr. Testin), Milwaukee.

Footnotes
Submitted for publication April 10, 1966.

Reprint requests to 1445 S 32nd St, Milwaukee (Dr. Johannsen).

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