Effects of social reinforcement on the level of abstraction in schizophrenics.

This study was designed to investigate (a) the effects of the nature of contingent vs. noncontingent social reinforcement upon the level of abstraction in schizophrenics as measured on a proverbs task, (b) the generalization of this behavior to another verbal conceptual task administered under neutral conditions, (c) the predictive and construct validity of the UUmann-Giovannoni Process-Reactive Self-Report Scale. 64 male schizophrenics were assigned to 4 treatment groups: contingent positive, noncontingent positive, contingent negative, and control. The results indicated that only the contingent positive group significantly increased their level of performance on the proverbs task and showed generalization. The other 3 groups showed no significant differences. Validity evidence for the Process-Reactive Scale and marital status was obtained. A significant difference between the conceptual behavior of schizophrenics and normals is well established. Buss and Lang (1965) have reviewed several conceptualizations of the schizophrenic thought disorder. One approach considers schizophrenia as a disorder which involves a relatively permanent loss of conceptual ability. Investigators such as Goldstein (1959), Hanfmann and Kasanin (1942), and Rapaport (1945) hold this view. In many investigations cited in support of this approach, adequate control groups were absent and inadequate statistical procedures were used. Buss and Lang indicated several later investigations (Chapman & Taylor, 1957; Lothrop, 1960; White, 1949) which showed that schizophrenics are capable of responding with abstract concepts. An alternative approach toward schizophrenic conceptual deficit views the problem as a lack of communication. Sullivan (1946) and Cameron (1946) emphasized that the schizophrenic disorder involves a general disturbance in social communication and a motivational problem arising from an overall fear of interpersonal relationships. Cameron