Self-face recognition is affected by schizotypal personality traits

The data are the first to show that traits associated with a schizophrenic spectrum disorder in a non-clinical population may compromise self-face recognition, and imply that self- face processing in the right hemisphere is impaired in individuals with schizotypal traits.

Abstract

The right cortical hemisphere appears to be important for processing self-face images and we have hypothesized that self-face processing is compromised in schizophrenia. As a way of testing this hypothesis, we investigated how reaction times to one's own face varied as a function of scores on the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ). Left-hand reaction times to self-face images were positively correlated to scores on the SPQ. In addition, people who scored 20 or below on the SPQ showed shorter reaction times to self-face images than stranger faces when responding with their left-hand, whereas those who scored 21 or above on the SPQ showed a left-hand disadvantage. These results imply that self-face processing in the right hemisphere is impaired in individuals with schizotypal traits. Our data are the first to show that traits associated with a schizophrenic spectrum disorder in a non-clinical population may compromise self-face recognition.