SEX-ROLE ALIENATION IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

Sex-typed reactions are contrasted in male and female normals and chronic schizophrenics. In general, the schizophrenics show sex-role alienation on tests which contain a self-image reference (a Role Playing Test, a Body Parts Acceptance Test, and a Figure Preference Test). Female schizophrenics tend to react in a more assertive manner like normal males, and male schizophrenics in a more sensitive manner like normal females. In a direct test of assertive vs. yielding story sequences on the TAT, the sex-difference reversal is significant only if housewives are used as normal female controls. The inclination of female schizophrenics toward assertive story sequences is matched by a similar inclination in career women, suggesting this role reversal is not as critical to the schizophrenic condition as the self-image disturbance. In conscious sex-typed interests and attitudes, schizophrenics do not differ from normals. A theory is proposed relating schizophrenia to sex-identity alienation in the early years of life. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1968 American Psychological Association.