Background
Paul Meehl used the term in 1962 for a personality organisation that he thought might reflect a vulnerability to schizophrenia. Gordon Claridge and others later developed a more dimensional view in which these traits are spread through the general population and can be a part of healthy variation.
Common dimensions
Researchers often describe positive schizotypy, which involves unusual experiences and magical thinking; negative schizotypy, which involves reduced pleasure and social withdrawal; and disorganisation, which involves odd speech and behaviour. Self-report questionnaires exist to assess these in research samples.
Connections and cautions
Some positive features have been associated with creativity, although the relationship is complicated and findings vary. Elevated scores can indicate increased risk for later difficulties, but they are poor at predicting outcomes for any one person. Anyone concerned about unusual experiences should speak with a doctor or mental health professional.
Further reading
- Meehl, P. E. (1962). Schizotaxia, schizotypy, schizophrenia. American Psychologist, 17, 827-838.
- Raine, A. (1991). The SPQ: A scale for the assessment of schizotypal personality based on DSM-III-R criteria. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 17, 555-564.
- Claridge, G. (Ed.). (1997). Schizotypy: Implications for illness and health. Oxford University Press.