Stimulus onset asynchronicity as a modulator of negative priming in schizotypy

A reduction of the negative priming-effect has been found for both schizoph renics and high schizotypes, which is commonly interpreted as a sign of cog nitive disinhibition in these populations. In the present study, a negative correlation between various schizotypal traits and negative priming was re plicated only when using a short stimulus onset asynchronicity (SOA). For l ong SOA conditions, negative priming and positive schizotypy correlated in a positive direction at trend level. Negative priming did not correlate wit h semantic priming, another putative measure of cognitive inhibition; indic ating that both measures tap different cognitive functions. Results imply t hat negative priming is not generally diminished in high schizotypes, but t hat the relationship depends on the length of the SOA. Unlike previous rese arch the attenuation of the negative priming effect in high schizotypes is not attributable to decreased prime perception or dyslexia. (C) 2000 Elsevi er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.