The Effects of Subliminally Presented Drive Stimuli on the Cognitive Functioning of Schizophrenics

Abstract

This was an investigation of the effects of subliminally presented drive related stimuli on the cognitive performance of 30 hospitalized schizophrenics. Subjects were seen individually for three sessions in a balanced design. In each session, an assessment was made of the effects of an aggressive, libidinal, or neutral stimulus on performance in tests of arithmetic, similarities, and picture arrangement (patterned after parts of the Wechsler Intelligence Scales). Assessments were made of ego pathology and cognitive deficit and the effects of the drive conditions were compared with those of the neutral condition. The results obtained support the views that: (a) the stimulation of drive derivatives in schizophrenics exacerbates aspects of their ego impairment; (b) the method described allows for the experimental study of the effects of drive activation on ego functioning.