Cloze Procedure and Written Language in Schizophrenia

Abstract

Little information exists regarding the sensitivity of the Cloze technique in various modes of language response in schizophrenia. In an experiment calling for spoken and written responses, Cloze scores of spoken responses were different for schizophrenics and controls, while scores of written responses did not distinguish the two groups. Controlling for thought disorder did not enhance the sensitivity of the procedure. These results are discussed in the light of current criticism of Cloze investigations of language produced by schizophrenics.