Change in delusions is associated with change in “jumping to conclusions”
Received 8 February 2008; received in revised form 26 August 2008; accepted 23 October 2008.
Abstract
Evidence has been put forward that premature termination of data collection and jumping to conclusions behavior (JTC) is associated with delusions. However, few investigations have attempted to track associations between changes in delusions and changes in JTC measures. In the current study individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders completed a version of the JTC task (involving fishing from lakes as opposed to drawing beads from a jar) at two timepoints 12 weeks apart. The results revealed significant negative correlations between change in task performance (number of requested pieces of information) and change in delusion scores over time. This evidence is consistent with the contention that the JTC task is sensitive to the cognitive systems underlying delusions in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
aDepartment of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
bDepartment of Research, BC Mental Health and Addictions Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
cDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Rostock University, Rostock, Germany
dDépartement des Sciences Infirmières, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
eDépartement de Psychologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
Corresponding author. Room 2N9, Detwiller Pavillion, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, 2255 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z3. Fax: +1 604 822 7756.
ABSTRACT