BACKGROUND: This paper highlights the role of the visual scan path as a physiological marker of information processing, while investigating positive symptomatology in schizophrenia. METHOD: The current literature is reviewed using computer search facilities (Medline). RESULTS: Schizophrenics either scan or stare extensively, the latter related to negative symptoms. Schizophrenics particularly scan when viewing human faces. CONCLUSIONS: Scan paths in schizophrenics are important when viewing meaningful stimuli such as human faces, because of the relationship between abnormal perception of stimuli and symptomatology in these subjects.
BACKGROUND: This paper highlights the role of the visual scan path as a physiological marker of information processing, while investigating positive symptomatology in schizophrenia. METHOD: The current literature is reviewed using computer search facilities (Medline). RESULTS: Schizophrenics either scan or stare extensively, the latter related to negative symptoms. Schizophrenics particularly scan when viewing human faces. CONCLUSIONS: Scan paths in schizophrenics are important when viewing meaningful stimuli such as human faces, because of the relationship between abnormal perception of stimuli and symptomatology in these subjects.