Understanding constricted affect in schizotypy through computerized prosodic analysis

Constricted affect (CA) is a cardinal negative symptom of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. It is unclear whether behaviorally-defined CA occurs in individuals with schizotypy-those with the personality organization reflective of schizophrenia liability. Moreover, it is unclear whether CA contributes to real world dysfunction in this population. The present study employed computerized prosodic analysis of natural speech procured during a laboratory procedure. Subjects were 89 individuals with psychometrically-defined schizotypy and 26 controls. Groups did not differ in any of the prosody measures examined here. Within the schizotypy group, increased prosodic expression was associated with positive schizotypy traits while decreased prosodic expression was associated with negative schizotypy traits. Prosodic deficits were significantly associated with reduced prosocial behaviors (e.g., talking with friends) but were not associated with subjective social satisfaction. Prosodic deficits characterize a subset of individuals with schizotypy who show a schizoid-like reduction in social behaviors without a concomitant reduction in social satisfaction.