The research is directed at one of the key symptoms of schizophrenia--flat affect. We are trying to understand whether the marked nonexpressivity of schizophrenics patients also reflects little inner experience of emotion or whether schizophrenic patients experience significant amounts of emotion but for some reason do not express it. Our prior research indicated that schizophrenics reported as much emotion as normals, were more electrodermally responsive than normals, but were markedly non- expressive. But to conclude that schizophrenics' emotional experience is like that of normals require data that is less subject to alternative interpretations and that is the purpose of this project. We will collect data on two, nonverbal indications of emotional state--the startle response and facial electromyography-as patients view film clips or slides designed to elicit specific moods. The magnitude of the startle response is increased during negative emotional states and is decreased during positive ones; specific facial EMG changes also accompany positive and negative affects, even when no change is observable in facial expression. Finally, we will examine the effects of two emotion inductions-taste and smell-which are less cognitively demanding.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01MH044116-05A1
Application #
2245983
Study Section
Clinical Psychopathology Review Committee (CPP)
Project Start
1989-07-01
Project End
1998-11-30
Budget Start
1994-12-01
Budget End
1995-11-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
State University New York Stony Brook
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
804878247
City
Stony Brook
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
11794