Brief assessment of schizotypy: Developing short forms of the Wisconsin Schizotypy Scales

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Thomas R. Kwapil, Associate Professor (Creator)
Paul Silvia, Professor (Creator)
Beate P. Winterstein (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: The Wisconsin Schizotypy Scales—the Perceptual Aberration, Magical Ideation, Physical Anhedonia, and Revised Social Anhedonia Scales—have been used extensively since their development in the 1970s and 1980s. Based on psychometric analyses using item response theory, the present work presents 15-item short forms of each scale. In addition to being briefer, the short forms omit items with high differential item functioning. Based on data from a sample of young adults (n = 1144), the short forms have strong internal consistency, and they mirror effects found for the longer scales. They thus appear to be a good option for researchers interested in the brief assessment of schizotypic traits. The items are listed in an Appendix A. Highlights Short forms (15 items each) of the Wisconsin Schizotypy Scales were developed. Based on IRT and DIF analyses, items with high discrimination but low DIF were selected. Internal consistency and intercorrelations were good and consistent with past work with the long scales. The brief scales had construct-consistent relations with measures of personality and mood disorder symptoms.

Additional Information

Publication
Language: English
Date: 2011
Keywords
schizotypy, wisconsin schizotypy scales, item response theory, assessment, psychology

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