“Stimulus-Seeking” Behavior in Schizophrenics and Nonschizophrenics

Abstract

On the basis of previous theoretical formulations it was predicted that schizophrenics would score lower on a test of stimulus-seeking behavior than would nonschizophrenics. The prediction was tested by comparing 74 schizophrenics with 40 nonschizophrenic psychiatric patients and 45 college students. The test of stimulus-seeking behavior was Howard's Maze A. The results supported the prediction. Differential performance was inconsequentially related to age, education, intelligence, and length of hospitalization.