The Schizophrenia Gene and Social Evolution

Abstract

The evolutionary persistence of the schizophrenia genes is discussed from the viewpoint that some beneficial attribute must be associated with the heterozygous or recessive condition to compensate for the dysgenic effects of the fully expressed disease in the homozygous schizophrenic patient. Previous hypotheses suggesting that superior creativity or greater resistance to physiological shock or stress are familial accompaniments of schizophrenia are briefly reviewed and rejected. An argument for an alternative hypothesis is offered which places the pro-survival characteristics of schizophrenia in the area of social relations and group behavior.