The role of knowledge and motivation in symptom identification accuracy among schizophrenic patients: application of signal detection theory.

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Title:	The role of knowledge and motivation in symptom identification accuracy among schizophrenic patients: application of signal detection theory.
Authors:	Wong AWS (AUTHOR), Chiu C (AUTHOR), Mok JWY (AUTHOR), Wong JGW (AUTHOR), Chen EYH (AUTHOR)
Source:	British Journal of Clinical Psychology. Sep2006, Vol. 45 Issue 3, p427-436. 10p.
Abstract:	Objective. Many people with schizophrenia have poor awareness of their symptoms, a problem that may result from lack of knowledge about their illness and/or unwillingness to acknowledge it. The present study assessed the joint influence of lack of knowledge and motivated denial in schizophrenic patients' low symptom awareness. Method. Schizophrenic patients (N = 85) and normal control participants (N = 35) identified psychotic symptoms and general stress symptoms in a symptom checklist. The signal detection theory was applied to assess levels of sensitivity (which would be knowledge-mediated) and judgment biases (which would probably be motivated). Results. Compared with normal control participants, schizophrenic patients had lower sensitivity and greater aversion to classify a symptom as a psychotic symptom. Conclusions. These findings suggest that both lack of knowledge and motivated denial are involved in schizophrenic patients' low symptom awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
	Copyright of British Journal of Clinical Psychology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	Objective. Many people with schizophrenia have poor awareness of their symptoms, a problem that may result from lack of knowledge about their illness and/or unwillingness to acknowledge it. The present study assessed the joint influence of lack of knowledge and motivated denial in schizophrenic patients' low symptom awareness. Method. Schizophrenic patients (N = 85) and normal control participants (N = 35) identified psychotic symptoms and general stress symptoms in a symptom checklist. The signal detection theory was applied to assess levels of sensitivity (which would be knowledge-mediated) and judgment biases (which would probably be motivated). Results. Compared with normal control participants, schizophrenic patients had lower sensitivity and greater aversion to classify a symptom as a psychotic symptom. Conclusions. These findings suggest that both lack of knowledge and motivated denial are involved in schizophrenic patients' low symptom awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	01446657
DOI:	10.1348/014466505x86672