Visual versus tactual receptor preference in normal and schizophrenic children.

Receptor preferences between visual or tactual stimuli were measured in schizophrenic and normal children. 4 pairs of standardized choice situations between visual or tactual stimuli were used, with the time of engagement with either stimulus constituting the preference measure. Schizophrenic children between the ages of 7 and 9 were compared with same aged normal children. A group of retardates were used for MA control. Schizophrenics were significantly lower in visual preference than the same aged normals, and an age trend for increased visual preference was found in the normal sample. Retardates showed greater visual preference than schizophrenics of comparable MA. Some implications for theory of schizophrenia were discussed. The problem of hierarchies in receptor usage was identified by Sherrington (1906) who postulated a transition from near receptor dominance in lower organisms to distance receptor dominance in the higher forms. A parallel sort of ontogenetic development has been suggested by Schachtel (1959), who described the infant's change from the autocentric mode of perception, utilizing primarily the near receptors such as touch, to the allocentric mode, involving such distance receptors as vision. This shift is consistent with Piaget's (19S2) developmental sequences of the sensory-motor period during which change from reflex behavior to increased goal directedness occurs. This change corresponds with 1 This study is based on a doctoral dissertation submitted to the University of Chicago, and was