Facial expression in schizophrenia.

Recent empirical studies have found that schizophrenics exhibit diminished observable facial expressivity in response to emotional stimuli (e.g., Berenbaum and Oltmanns 1992; Kring et al 1993; Kring and Neale 1996) yet report experiencing similar levels of emotion as their normal counterparts; however, it remains unclear whether schizophrenics are completely unexpressive, or if they exhibit more subtle, unobservable facial muscle activity that cannot be seen by observers. Additionally, the diminished facial expressiveness found in schizophrenia may be a function of affective flattening, a side effect of medication (akinesia), or both (Blanchard and Neale 1992). The present study sought to extend previous findings of emotional responding in schizophrenics in two ways. First, because schizophrenics exhibit very little observable facial expressivity, a more sensitive measure of facial expression, facial electromyographic (EMG) activity, was recorded during the presentation of emotional films. Second, to examine more closely the effects of medication on facial expressivity, a within subjects design was employed such that all patients were tested at two time points (approximately six months apart): when they were taking neuroleptic medication and when they were medication free. The present article presents preliminary results from an ongoing longitudinal study of affective response in schizophrenia.