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Self-monitoring dysfunction and the schizophrenic symptoms of alien control

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 1998

J. D. STIRLING,
J. S. E. HELLEWELL and
N. QURAISHI
J. D. STIRLING
Affiliation:
From the Department of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester; Medical Research Department, Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, Alderley Park, Macclesfield; and Department of Medicine, Hope Hospital, Eccles, Salford
J. S. E. HELLEWELL
Affiliation:
From the Department of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester; Medical Research Department, Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, Alderley Park, Macclesfield; and Department of Medicine, Hope Hospital, Eccles, Salford
N. QURAISHI
Affiliation:
From the Department of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester; Medical Research Department, Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, Alderley Park, Macclesfield; and Department of Medicine, Hope Hospital, Eccles, Salford
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Abstract

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Background. Frith & Done (1988) have proposed that the experience of alien control symptoms in schizophrenia is related to a failure by such individuals to monitor effectively their own willed intentions, actions and thoughts.

Method. To examine this hypothesis, a heterogeneous group of 35 patients, all carrying a DSM-III-R diagnosis of schizophrenia (or schizophreniform psychosis) and 24 non-patient controls, completed a battery of neuropsychological and cognitive tests, which inter alia, included four putative measures of self-monitoring. Patients took part in a detailed clinical interview to assess current levels of symptomatology.

Results. Patients generally performed at a lower level on most components of the test battery, including the four self-monitoring tests. Moreover, patients currently experiencing symptoms of alien control tended to experience greater difficulty with each of the self-monitoring tests; an effect that was relatively independent of neuropsychological or general cognitive function.

Conclusions. The relationship between poor self-monitoring and the presence of alien control symptoms provides support for Frith & Done's account of the origins of these symptoms in schizophrenia.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 28 , Issue 3 , May 1998, pp. 675 - 683
Copyright
© 1998 Cambridge University Press