SU45. Humor Comprehension in Schizotypy

Background: Humor comprehension refers to the humor signal detection and emotional experience. Previous researchers found that patients with schizophrenia have deficits in humor comprehension, but it is unclear whether subclinical high-risk individuals also have similar deficits. Moreover, it is also unclear what component, humor detection or emotional experience, they would have deficits in. Methods: Chapman scale was used to screen 28 individuals with schizotypy and 30 control subjects. We developed a humor detection and experience task based on the signal detection theory. Scales were also used to measure the sense of humor, humor styles, and daily pleasure experiences. Results: No significant differences were found between the schizotypy group and the control group in humor detection (d’) and humor experience (β) though the β was slightly higher in the schizotypy group. The humor experience (β) was also correlated with the daily pleasure experience in the schizotypy group. As scales indicated that the individuals with schizotypy had poorer daily pleasure experience, higher negative emotion, and poorer social skills than the control group. The individuals with schizotypy had deficits in skill of enjoyment experience, and there were differences between 2 groups. In control group, the humor experience (β) had negatively correlated with emotional scales. And in the individuals with schizotypy, the sneer humor style and self-dispraise humor style had positive correlation. Conclusion: The individuals with schizotypy have partial deficits in humor comprehension, mainly manifested in humor experience. The individuals with schizotypy have more obvious negative and depressed emotion, and they express their emotion weakly. This individuals are possibly introverted in social association.