Schizotypy and Schizophrenia

Lenzenweger, a world-class scholar, teacher, and clinician, has produced a spectacular volume. This book is unique in conveying the adventures, joys, and dilemmas of thinking about and doing clinical research related to mental illness. Lenzenweger thoughtfully considers multiple psychological and biological methods and approaches, teaching about each of them in ways that stick with the reader. Centered on schizotypy and schizophrenia, the book contains valuable lessons that apply to all clinical areas. A tour de force, equivalent to having a very knowledgeable, curious, and likeable mentor at your elbow.--Jack D. Barchas, MD, Chair, Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College

Written by an internationally recognized authority, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in the complexities of schizophrenia and psychopathology research. Meticulous scholarship, accumulated wisdom, and personal anecdotes are combined into an engaging and highly readable text. In addition to highlighting classic findings and the most up-to-date research, Lenzenweger provides the reader with the benefits of his vast knowledge and unique perspective. Everyone from the beginning graduate student to the experienced researcher will find true gold in these pages.--Jill M. Hooley, DPhil, Department of Psychology, Harvard University

Standing proudly on the shoulders of such giants of quantitative clinical psychology as Meehl and Maher, Lenzenweger offers us an unsurpassed view of the terrain called schizotypy and schizophrenia. The breadth and depth of his work are just plain amazing. No wishy-washy prose here; he tells readers that received wisdom may not be wise, and that the reception of such wisdom can arrive with distortions. He easily goes from psychometrics to endophenotypes to psychodynamics, all in a relaxed, user-friendly style. Reading this book is like listening in on a professor’s chat with bright students in an advanced psychopathology seminar. Even the footnotes contain probing questions that imply future dissertation topics. Looking for an exciting psychopathology textbook? Stop looking--it has arrived.--Irving I. Gottesman, PhD, Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Minnesota

For over 25 years, Lenzenweger has led the field in the laboratory study of schizotypy. In this book, Lenzenweger not only provides the tools, theory, and methodological approach for a sophisticated view of schizotypy, but also invites readers to explore the scientific challenges in this complicated research domain from his richly creative and uncompromisingly rigorous perspective. Clearly written, compelling, and replete with elucidating examples, Lenzenweger’s book is a tour de force. This book should be read and reread by any serious student of psychopathology.--Dante Cicchetti, PhD, McKnight Presidential Chair of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Institute of Child Development and Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota - An excellent introduction to the field of schizotypy and schizophrenia and the complexities involved in conducting research in this field. Lenzenweger has a straightforward writing style and speaks with authority, humor, and precision as he presents both classic findings and the most up-to-date research. The mix of analogies, metaphors, and scientific prose make for an engaging and informative read and his anecdotes from his university lectures make reading the book feel like receiving a private tutorial. This is a must-have textbook for students of psychopathology, personality, and clinical research. Of special note is the research format of this book; the reader is led through the minefield of conducting psychopathology research, from model development, through appropriate measurement to defining phenotypes and endophenotypes. What is of particular value is the time taken to disentangle the different linguistic terms within the field, to present and understand key concepts in schizotypy and in psychopathology, and to understand the caveats of such research....I would recommend this book to any researcher, student or established, looking for an introduction and overview to the exciting world of schizotypy research. The methodological approach makes it a necessary textbook for any student of experimental psychopathology. --Journal of Mental Health, 7/11/2010ƒƒ The text is essential for students, trainees, and junior researchers, but it may also provide insights and fresh ideas for the experienced researchers well acquainted with the challenges in the field of schizophrenia and of psychopathology in general....Provides a comprehensive review of research issues, which can be highly useful to anyone writing a Career Development (K) Award application or even a Research Project Grant (R01) submission, by revisiting design issues that may have become submerged or sidelined....Lenzenweger's illustrations are primarily drawn from his area of expertise, schizotypy research, but have relevance for other populations as well. The depth and breadth of his understanding of statistical analysis allow him to gently challenge many practices and assumptions made in psychopathology research, as well as to advocate embracing 'messy' data, going toward rather than away from heterogeneity....One of the appealing aspects of the text is Lenzenweger's capacity for pouncing on sloppy language, generalizations, and misconceptions in the field....Lenzenweger's perspectives and guidelines for psychopathology research are likely to be valuable even for those who do not share his vision regarding schizotypy and schizophrenia, and research attempting to rebut his conclusions may provide further insights into the complexities of this sphere of psychopathology. His 'view from experimental psychopathology' is rich in references and ideas for the scientist, the practitioner, the student, the professor, and all the individual variants on these continua. --PsycCRITIQUES, 7/11/2010