Logo image
Negative v Positive Schizophrenia: Definition and Validation
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Negative v Positive Schizophrenia: Definition and Validation

Nancy C Andreasen and Scott Olsen
Archives of general psychiatry, Vol.39(7), pp.789-794
07/01/1982
DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.1982.04290070025006
PMID: 7165478

View Online

Abstract

• We developed criteria for dividing the schizophrenic syndrome into three subtypes: positive, negative, and mixed schizophrenia. Positive schizophrenia is characterized by prominent delusions, hallucinations, positive formal thought disorder, and persistently bizarre behavior; negative schizophrenia, by affective flattening, alogia, avolition, anhedonia, and attentional impairment. In mixed schizophrenia either both negative and positive symptoms are prominent, or neither is prominent. We explored the validity of these criteria in a variety of ways. Significant differences between the three types were noted using external validators such as premorbid adjustment, indices of cognitive dysfunction, ventricular brain ratio, and course in hospital. The correlational structure of the symptom complexes also provided further support for our approach to subtyping.

Details

Logo image