THE KAMIN BLOCKING EFFECT, INCIDENTAL-LEARNING AND SCHIZOTYPY - (A REANALYSIS)

Performance of Kamin blocking and incidental learning tasks has been found to be significantly affected in acute, positively symptomatic, subjects. However, a previous study of normal subjects failed to show any relationship with schizotypy. The present study reanalyses these data in the light of Hewitt and Claridge's three-factor solution to Claridge's schizotypy scale. The 'unusual perceptual experiences' factor is found to be related to performance of both incidental learning tasks and there is a trend towards it being related to the second of two Kamin blocking tasks. Results suggest that this more sophisticated approach to schizotypy may enhance correspondence between findings in schizophrenic and 'psychosis-prone' normal subjects. © 1991.