Abstract
Traditional categorical diagnosis in DSM-5 has received widespread criticism due to its extreme heterogeneity, poor diagnostic reliability, poor validity and high comorbidity. The alternative trait model introduced the domain of psychoticism, which captures the trait of positive schizotypy. Positive schizotypy has been linked to vulnerability to schizophrenia spectrum disorders, which has shown several areas of neuropsychological dysfunction. Considerable evidence has demonstrated that the dimensional model has superior reliability and validity and ties to important clinical constructs such as neuropsychological function. Little research has tied the dimensional model of personality pathology to neuropsychological domains including processing speed and executive function. The current study examined the association of DSM-5 psychoticism trait and neuropsychological tests performances, specifically Texas Assessment of Processing Speed, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and Verbal Fluency in a college student sample. Results indicated that unusual belief is associated with WCST preservative responses, and psychoticism is associated with impaired semantic fluency. Further research is warranted before definite conclusions concerning the impairment of processing speed, set-shifting component of executive function, and psychoticism domain and facets.
Degree Date
Fall 12-16-2017
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Department
Psychology
Advisor
Michael Chmielewski
Second Advisor
Alan Brown
Third Advisor
Robert Hampson
Format
Recommended Citation
Tang, Rui, "Pathological Personality Traits and Neuropsychological Function" (2017). Psychology Theses and Dissertations. 1.
https://scholar.smu.edu/hum_sci_psychology_etds/1
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