Auditory vigilance: normals compared to chronic schizophrenic subgroups defined by skin conductance variables.

Three electrodermally distinct subgroups of chronic schizophrenics were identified by Patterson and Venables (1978). The present study investigated the auditory vigilance ability of these subgroups relative to a normal population. In one subgroup of schizophrenics (the fast habituators) no evidence could be found for a deficit in auditory vigilance ability relative to normal. Implications for further electrophysiological and biochemical research in schizophrenia are discussed.