Schizophrenia Research
Volume 59, Issue 2 , Pages 99-113, 1 February 2003

Working memory and schizophrenia: evidence for slowed encoding

  • Marilyn Hartman

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1-919-962-3987; fax: +1-919-962-2537
    • Psychology Department, University of North Carolina, Davie Hall CB# 3270, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3270, USA
    • ,
  • Mareah C Steketee

      Affiliations

    • Psychology Department, University of North Carolina, Davie Hall CB# 3270, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3270, USA
    • John Umstead Hospital, Butner, NC, USA
    • ,
  • Susan Silva

      Affiliations

    • Psychology Department, University of North Carolina, Davie Hall CB# 3270, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3270, USA
    • Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
    • ,
  • Kristi Lanning

      Affiliations

    • Psychology Department, University of North Carolina, Davie Hall CB# 3270, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3270, USA
    • ,
  • Heather McCann

      Affiliations

    • Psychology Department, University of North Carolina, Davie Hall CB# 3270, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3270, USA

Received 26 June 2001; received in revised form 18 September 2001; accepted 24 September 2001.

Abstract 

Previous studies have found impairments in working memory in individuals with schizophrenia, but have not identified the underlying information processing deficit. Because schizophrenia is associated with slowed cognitive processing, deficits on working memory tests may be due to decreased speed of encoding rather than an inability to maintain information over time. This hypothesis was examined using a Delayed Match to Sample (DMTS) Test. Task difficulty under 0-delay conditions was equated by individually establishing the stimulus presentation time needed to reach approximately 80% accuracy. Schizophrenia participants required longer presentation durations, but there were no group differences under delay conditions when performance was equated in the 0-delay condition. These results suggest that poor working memory performance in schizophrenia results from slowed encoding processes.

Keywords:  Schizophrenia, Working memory, Slowing, Cognition

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PII: S0920-9964(01)00366-8

Schizophrenia Research
Volume 59, Issue 2 , Pages 99-113, 1 February 2003

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