Abnormal Psychology

Personality Disorders 589

tend to avoid others and isolate themselves (Beck, Freeman, & Davis, 2004; Farmer &

Nelson-Gray, 2005). People with any of these three disorders also often behave in

unusual ways (hence the label “odd/eccentric”), and these behaviors then make them

noticeable to others. And their obvious unusual behavior can make other people more

likely to mistreat them (intentionally or not), confi rming their beliefs about them-

selves and other people. People with these disorders also pay attention to, remember,

and interpret stimuli in ways that are consistent with their beliefs and that thus rein-

force their isolation and avoidance of other people.

Social Factors in Odd/Eccentric Personality Disorders

In contrast to their lesser role in schizophrenia, certain social factors appear to

play a relatively large role in the onset of schizotypal personality disorder. These

social factors include physical abuse or neglect, insecure attachment to parents,

and discrimination (Berenbaum et al., 2008; Raine, 2006; Wilson & Constanzo,

1996)—all stressful events. In fact, some of these social factors may be related to

each other: Insecure attachment may, at least in part, arise from abuse or neglect.

Children who develop schizotypal personality disorder are more likely to have

experienced trauma, abuse, and neglect than are those who went on to develop

most other personality disorders (Yen et al., 2002). These negative childhood ex-

periences infl uence patients’ views of other people as untrustworthy and having

malevolent motives.

FEEDBACK LOOPS IN ACTION: Understanding

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

With schizotypal personality disorder, as with schizophrenia (Chapter 12), neu-

ropsychosocial factors create feedback loops (see Figure 13.4). For instance, early

social stressors such as neglect and trauma can contribute to brain abnormalities,

particularly if a genetic or other neurological vulnerability exists before birth. The

neurological changes, in turn, contribute to disturbances in cognitive and emotional

functioning (Raine, 2006). These cognitive and emotional disturbances then can lead

to problems in social interactions and increased stress (Skodol, Gunderson et al.,

2002), which then affect neurological functioning. Moreover, trauma, neglect, and

insecure attachment may give rise to a paranoid attributional style and a discomfort

with others (Raine, 2006).

Personality Disorder View of Self View of Others Main (Negative) Beliefs Main Strategies (Overt Behavior)

Paranoid Righteous, innocent,

vulnerable

Interfering, malicious,

discriminatory,

malevolent

“People are dangerous.”

“Others’ motives are suspect.”

“I must always be on guard.”

“I cannot trust people.”

Remain wary. Look for hidden

motives, accuse, counterattack.

Schizoid Self-suffi cient, loner Intrusive “I need plenty of space.”

“Others are unrewarding.”

“Relationships are messy and

undesirable.”

Maintain isolation.

Schizotypal Unreal, detached,

loner; vulnerable,

socially conspicuous;

supernaturally sensitive

and gifted

Untrustworthy,

malevolent

The patient holds odd or

superstitious beliefs such as

a belief in telepathy or “sixth

sense.” “It’s better to be isolated

from others.”

Watch for and neutralize malevolent

attention from others. Keep to

oneself. Be vigilant for supernatural

forces or events.

Source: Beck, Freeman, & Davis, 2004, pp. 21, 36, 48–49. Copyright 2004 by Guilford Publications, Inc. For more information see the Permissions section.

Table 13.10 • Maladaptive Views, Beliefs, and Strategies of Individuals with Odd/Eccentric Personality Disorders

P S

N

P S

N

P S

N