The role of cognitive biases and personality variables in subclinical delusional ideation |
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| Authors: | Mahesh Menon Lena Catherine Quilty John Anthony Zawadzki Todd Stephen Woodward Helen Moriah Sokolowski Heather Shirley Boon |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Schizophrenia Program and Research Imaging Centre , Centre for Addiction &2. Mental Health , Toronto , Canada;3. Department of Psychiatry , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada;4. Institute of Medical Science , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada;5. Department of Psychiatry , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada Mahesh_menon@camh.net;7. Clinical Research Department , Centre for Addiction &8. Mental Health , Toronto , Canada;9. Institute of Medical Science , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada;10. Department of Psychiatry , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada;11. Department of Psychology , University of Western Ontario , London , Canada;12. Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada |
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| Abstract: | Introduction. A number of cognitive biases, most notably a data gathering bias characterised by “jumping to conclusions” (JTC), and the “bias against disconfirmatory evidence” (BADE), have been shown to be associated with delusions and subclinical delusional ideation. Certain personality variables, particularly “openness to experience”, are thought to be associated with schizotypy. Methods. Using structural equation modelling, we examined the association between two higher order subfactors (“aspects”) of “openness to experience” (labelled “openness” and “intellect”), these cognitive biases, and their relationship to subclinical delusional ideation in 121 healthy, nonpsychiatric controls. Results. Our results suggest that cognitive biases (specifically the data gathering bias and BADE) and the “openness” aspect are independently associated with subclinical delusional ideation, and the data gathering bias is weakly associated with “positive schizotypy”. “Intellect” is negatively associated with delusional ideation and might play a potential protective role. Conclusions. Cognitive biases and personality are likely to be independent risk factors for the development of delusions. |
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| Keywords: | Bias against disconfirmatory evidence Cognitive biases Delusions “Jumping to conclusions” Openness Personality Subclinical delusional ideation |
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