The language of paranoia
Abstract
In order to assess which of three current models is most useful in understanding paranoia, the authors applied computer speech content analysis to 55 patients--24 of whom were in four groups expressing paranoid delusions and 31 of whom were in four groups not expressing such delusions. The results delineated a semantic or verbal profile of paranoid self-presentation. This self-presentation is more identifiable than the effects of any other patient characteristic, even if the delusion is not discussed by the patient. The strength of the statistical evidence supports the model of paranoid delusions as a separate disease rather than as a subtype of schizophrenia or as a trait that exists on a spectrum from normality to pathology.
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Suspiciousness and paranoia symptoms may stem from the avoidance of personal exposure and negative self-image, distorting reality so as to strengthen impaired self-esteem.
“These symptoms may stem from the avoidance of personal exposure and negative self-image, distorting reality in the process so as to strengthen impaired self-esteem (Bentall et al., 2008, Oxman et al., 1982).”
From Schizotypy and mindfulness: Magical thinking without suspiciousness characterizes mindfulness meditators (2016) · cites this paper as Oxman et al., 1982
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- Authors
- Oxman, T. E., Rosenberg, S. D., & TUCKER, G. J.
- Venue
- American Journal of Psychiatry
- Published
- 1982-03-01
- Volume
- 139
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 275-282
- ISSN
- 0002-953X (ISSN-L)
- 1535-7228
- OpenAlex
- W2417366707
- Cited by
- 60
- References
- 28
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Mental Health and Psychiatry
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health via Writing
- Keywords
- paranoia, persecutory delusions, speech content analysis, semantic profiles, schizophrenia subtypes
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Bipolar Disorder, Computers, Delusions, Depressive Disorder, Diagnosis, Differential, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Paranoid Disorders, Schizophrenia, Paranoid, Schizophrenic Language, Semantics, Verbal Behavior, Neurocognitive Disorders
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