Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
341497 Schizophrenia Research 2009 4 Pages PDF
Abstract

The old term for schizophrenia, “Seishin-Bunretsu-Byo” (Mind-Split Disease), has been replaced by “Togo-Shitcho-Sho” (Integration Disorder) in Japan. Stigma research requiring individuals to report personal beliefs is useful but is subject to social desirability bias. Using the Implicit Association Test, a measurement designed to minimize this bias, we assessed the impact of this renaming on the stereotype of schizophrenia held by a younger generation. The old term was strongly associated with “criminal”, and this association became significantly weaker with the new term. The strategy of renaming holds considerable promise for tempering negative bias toward this disorder in Japan.

Related Topics
Life Sciences Neuroscience Behavioral Neuroscience
Authors
, , , , , , , ,