Latent inhibition as a function of positive and negative schizotypal symptoms: Evidence for a bi-directional model

Latent inhibition (LI) refers to poorer learning for a previously exposed, irrelevant stimulus (PE) than for a non-preexposed, novel stimulus (NPE). According to recent theoretical accounts of this phenomenon, positive schizotypal symptoms should attenuate LI while negative symptoms should produce a persistent LI. To test this prediction, non-clinical participants (N = 115), randomly allocated to either PE or NPE group, performed a visual-search LI task and completed psychometric measures of schizotypy. Overall, fewer correct responses in the PE group than in the NPE group suggested a LI effect. Subsequent regression analyses showed that in the PE group positive schizotypy was associated with attenuated LI whereas negative schizotypy was associated with enhanced LI. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence for a bi-directional model of LI modulation in schizotypy.