Discussion
A discrepancy exists between the objective and subjective responses to
sensory stimuli in people with SSD: measures of sensory processing
indicate hyporeactivity whereas their subjective reports of
sensory flooding are consistent with hyperexcitability . Access to
SSD populations can be challenging. We approached this issue by testingnon-clinical individuals with varying degrees of schizotypy
traits to test whether those with high schizotypy exhibited patterns of
behavior consistent with hyperexcitability (higher reports of
perceived visual illusions) or hyporeactivity (fewer reported
illusions) in an online presentation of the PGT. Data from two samples,
totaling 913 participants, found that individuals with higher schizotypy
traits reported more illusions than those with fewer traits.The disorganization factor robustly predicted Pattern Glare
scores, whereas the interpersonal and cognitive-perceptual
factors did not. The findings are consistent with ahyperexcitability account.
Our findings suggest that the non-clinical population
experiencing abnormal disorganized thinking is associated with a greater
Pattern Glare score. Consistent with our findings, former research has
found a link between disorganized schizotypy and attentional deficits
(Chen et al., 1997; Cicero & Kerns, 2010; Kemp et al., 2021), which has
been described as a symptom of perceptual abnormalities and sensory
flooding (Bunney et al., 1999; McGhie & Chapman, 1961). Disorganized
schizotypy has been associated with greater affective deficits,
affective ambivalence, and impairments in communication (Cicero &
Kerns, 2010; Kemp et al., 2018; Kerns, 2006; Kerns & Becker, 2008).