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Decision making under uncertainty and mood induction: further evidence for liberal acceptance in schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

S. Moritz ,
R. Veckenstedt ,
S. Randjbar ,
B. Hottenrott ,
T. S. Woodward ,
F. V. v. Eckstaedt ,
C. Schmidt ,
L. Jelinek  and
T. M. Lincoln
S. Moritz*
Affiliation:
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hospital for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany
R. Veckenstedt
Affiliation:
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hospital for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany
S. Randjbar
Affiliation:
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hospital for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany
B. Hottenrott
Affiliation:
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hospital for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany
T. S. Woodward
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Department of Research, BC Mental Health and Addictions Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
F. V. v. Eckstaedt
Affiliation:
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hospital for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany
C. Schmidt
Affiliation:
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hospital for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany
L. Jelinek
Affiliation:
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hospital for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany
T. M. Lincoln
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Philipps-University Marburg, AG Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Marburg, Germany
*
*Address for correspondence: Professor S. Moritz, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hospital for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany. (Email: moritz@uke.uni-hamburg.de)
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Abstract

Background

Cognitive biases, especially jumping to conclusions (JTC), are ascribed a vital role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. This study set out to explore motivational factors for JTC using a newly developed paradigm.

Method

Twenty-seven schizophrenia patients and 32 healthy controls were shown 15 classical paintings, divided into three blocks. Four alternative titles (one correct and three lure titles) had to be appraised according to plausibility (0–10). Optionally, participants could decide for one option and reject one or more alternatives. In random order across blocks, anxiety-evoking music, happy music or no music was played in the background.

Results

Patients with schizophrenia, particularly those with delusions, made more decisions than healthy subjects. In line with the liberal acceptance (LA) account of schizophrenia, the decision threshold was significantly lowered in patients relative to controls. Patients were also more prone than healthy controls to making a decision when the distance between the first and second best alternative was close. Furthermore, implausible alternatives were judged as significantly more plausible by patients. Anxiety-evoking music resulted in more decisions in currently deluded patients relative to non-deluded patients and healthy controls.

Conclusions

The results confirm predictions derived from the LA account and assert that schizophrenia patients decide hastily under conditions of continued uncertainty. The fact that mood induction did not exert an overall effect could be due to the explicit nature of the manipulation, which might have evoked strategies to counteract their influence.

Keywords

Cognitiondecision makingjumping to conclusionsmoodmood inductionschizophrenia
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 39 , Issue 11 , November 2009 , pp. 1821 - 1829
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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