Serial Learning of CVC Combinations with High and Low Social-Content Ratings by Schizophrenics and Normals

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of varied social-content ratings of CVC combinations on speed of acquisition in a serial learning task by 24 schizophrenic and 24 normal Ss. A low social and a high social CVC list were prepared, with scaled meaningfulness values (m') held relatively constant. Subgroups of schizophrenics and normals were assigned to and practiced on each of the two lists. Results indicated that rate of acquisition by schizophrenic Ss was significantly affected by varying the social properties of the stimulus items while varied social content had no noticeable effect on the performance of normals. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that social stimuli consistently disrupt performance by schizophrenic Ss and focus on the role of such stimuli as negative reinforcers.