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| Research article summary (published 27 Feb 2003): |
Theory of mind and the role of IQ in chronic disorganized schizophrenia.
Full Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Several studies have suggested a theory of mind (ToM) deficit in schizophrenic disorders. However, the role of interfering variables such as IQ, attention, memory, and severity of the disorder has remained ambiguous.
METHODS:
A theory of mind picture story comprising a sequencing task, a first and a second order false belief test, and a tactical deception test was given to a group of 23 patients with chronic disorganized schizophrenia and to 12 healthy control persons. In addition, a nonsocial picture story had to be sequenced. Severity of the psychopathology was measured by using the brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS), IQ was estimated using the 'Mehrfachwahlwortschatztest' (MWT, multiple choice verbal comprehension test).
RESULTS:
The schizophrenic group was impaired relative to controls on the theory of mind task, but not on the sequencing task of the nonsocial picture story. However, when controlled for IQ, no such difference was found. These findings were neither related to severity, duration, nor age at onset of the disorder.
CONCLUSIONS:
Theory of mind deficits in schizophrenia may be related to domain general impairments, e.g., intelligence and working memory load, rather than reflecting a 'genuine' compromised mental state attribution similar to autistic spectrum disorders. Schizophrenic patients may, however, rather be impaired in how and when to apply strategic social reasoning. Further studies to investigate the nature of social deficiency in schizophrenia are warranted.
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Author information
Author/s: Brüne, Martin (M);
Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Alexandrinenstr. 1-3, D-44791 Bochum, Germany. Martin.Bruene(-atsign-)ruhr-uni-bochum.de
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article
Journal: Schizophrenia research (Schizophr Res), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2003-Mar; vol 60 (issue 1) : pp 57-64
Dates: Created 2002/12/30; Completed 2003/04/24; Revised 2006/11/15;
PMID: 12505138, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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