A QUANTITATIVE TEST OF THEORY AND DIAGNOSTIC INDICATORS OF CHILDHOOD SCHIZOPHRENIA

Abstract

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY THE PRESENT study is a first step toward establishing objective tests of criteria by which childhood schizophrenia can be differentiated from other serious behavior disorders of children. Many approaches to the problems of differential diagnosis may be taken. These approaches do not differ in the objectivity of the observations recorded, for this is an ideal toward which all scientific workers strive. Rather, they differ as to what aspects of behavior are observed and how the results of observations are organized. The aspects of behavior recorded in this investigation were chosen on the basis not only of clinical experience but also of their offering a test of working hypotheses derived from a systematic theory of childhood schizophrenia. Over a span of nearly two decades (1934-1952) about 7,000 children referred to the children's service of the Psychiatric Division of Bellevue Hospital were examined, tested, observed, cared for, and