The Subjective-Objective Disjunction in Psychometrically-Defined Schizotypy: What it is and Why it is Important?

Abstract

An interesting set of findings has emerged from the literature regarding schizotypy. Individuals with psychometric schizotypy self-report pathology in certain neuropsychological, affective experiential, expressive and olfactory abilities and subjective quality of life at levels between one and two standard deviations more severe than their non-schizotypal peers; a level often similar to that seen in chronic schizophrenia. Objectively however, individuals with psychometric schizotypy do not show concomitant impairments in these domains. This “subjective-objective” disjunction is remarkable in that samples are largely drawn from college settings; thus likely reflecting the healthiest individuals within the schizophrenia-spectrum. We propose that this disjunction can be conceptualized as a “cognitive bias”, and that it reflects a dysfunction in the systems underlying reasoning and self-evaluation. In this article, we lay out evidence underlying the subjective-objective disjunction and discuss potential methodological and psychological issues that may explain this phenomenon.