THE FACTORIAL STRUCTURE OF SCHIZOTYPY .1. AFFINITIES WITH SYNDROMES OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

A replication is reported of a three-factor-active, withdrawn, unreali ty-structure of schizotypy measured with the Schizotypal Personality Q uestionnaire (SPQ) in the normal population, a structure which has clo se affinities with a three-syndrome model of schizophrenia. Cognitive asymmetry patterns and arousal scales are found in the companion repor t-Part II in this issue of the Schizophrenia Bulletin. Here the withdr awn factor-loneliness and constricted affect-was also complemented by the physical anhedonia scale. The original sample (1995) was then comb ined with the replication sample to examine associations with the dime nsions of extraversion-introversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism. In troversion loaded on the first withdrawn factor. The second unreality factor-unusual perceptions, magical beliefs, and ideas of reference-wa s unrelated to the Eysenck dimensions. Psychoticism loaded on the thir d active factor-eccentricity and odd speech. Neuroticism formed a four th, nonspecific factor with social anxiety and suspiciousness. Insuffi ciencies in current measures of the structure of schizotypy and schizo phrenia are discussed. These include the absence of activity-arousal f rom the SPQ, the limited assessment of cognitive disorganization in sc hizotypy, and its heterogeneity in schizophrenia. The history of the a ctive-withdrawn classification and its importance in further elucidati on of schizotypy and schizophrenia are outlined.