The author discusses the role of the family in the etiology of
schizophrenia and suggests how this research might be integrated with our
growing knowledge of the biology of schizophrenia. Abnormalities of family
interaction-particularly communication deviances-are frequently associated
with schizophrenia and may play a causal, rather than epiphenomenal, role
in its pathogenesis. Communication processes in family life affect the
child's development of attentional and perceptual capacities, which also
have strong biologic roots. The author suggests that the study of normal
and abnormal perceptual development might be a meeting ground for
researchers in the areas of the biological and familial theories of
schizophrenia.Abstract Teaser