Theory of mind and the role of IQ in chronic disorganized schizophrenia

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Schizophrenia research 2003-03, Vol.60 (1), p.57-64
Main Author: BRUNE, Martin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Biological and medical sciences
Chi-Square Distribution
Cognition Disorders - etiology
Concept Formation
Disorganized schizophrenia
Female
Humans
Intelligence
Intelligence Tests
Male
Medical sciences
Memory, Short-Term
Neuropsychological Tests
Problem Solving - physiology
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Psychoses
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, Disorganized - complications
Schizophrenia, Disorganized - psychology
Schizophrenic Psychology
Social Perception
Strategic social reasoning
Theory of mind
Verbal Learning
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0920-9964
1573-2509
DOI:10.1016/S0920-9964(02)00162-7