Computer analysis significantly differtiated the thermatic content of
the free speech of 10 schizophrenic patients from that of 10
nonschizophrenic patients and from the content of transcripts of dream
material from 10 normal subjects. Schizophrenic patients used the thematic
categories in factor 1 (the "schizophrenic factor") 3 times more frequently
than the nonschizophrenics and 10 times more frequently than the normal
subjects (p smaller than 01). In general, the language content of the
schizophrenic patient mirrored an almost agitated attempt to locate oneself
in time and space and to defend against internal discomfort and confusion.
The authors discuss the implications of this study for future research.Abstract Teaser