Visual Perception as a Function of Chronicity in Schizophrenia

Abstract

Although much effort has gone into the description and classification of schizophrenic behaviour patterns, little attempt has been made to detail the course of the disorder. The present paper is an effort to trace the effects of chronicity on perception by use of a cross-sectional method. The specific tasks were selected to maximize autochthonous factors in perception. At the same time a demonstrable sensitivity to emotional states was desired, since changes in the schizophrenic condition are often considered reflections of reaction to stress. A wide enough area of behaviour was encompassed so that a general pattern, if one emerged, could be considered typical of perception as a whole.