Masking impairments in schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder

In this chapter, studies analyzing perceptual impairment in schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder are reviewed. Schizophrenia is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking or behavior (including abnormal motor behavior), and negative symptoms. On the other hand, a schizotypal personality disorder is a pervasive pattern of social and interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort, reduced capacity for close relationships, cognitive or perceptual impairments, and behavioral eccentricities. Moreover, the commonalities and differences found in the pattern of perceptual and backward masking impairments between these two groups are highlighted in this chapter. Lastly, we summarize the gaps and limitations of previous studies, which will become the focus of future research.