The cognitive antecedents of psychosis-like (anomalous) experiences: variance within a stratified quota sample of the general population
e-space May 27, 2026 David A. Bradbury 1 citation
A two-phase thesis examined psychosis-like experiences in the general population through the lens of schizotypy. Phase 1 surveyed 130 adults stratified by gender and age, finding that eleven measures of anomalous experiences were significantly intercorrelated. Principal components analysis revealed three factors accounting for 64.91% of variance: 'Anomalous Cognitions' (42.97%), 'Lifeview System' (12.60%), and 'Social Adaptation Skills' (9.34%). No significant gender differences emerged, but four of nine measures showed significant ageband differences. Phase 2 tested 78 participants grouped by low, mid, or high anomalous cognitions on six cognitive domains. Four domains showed significant group differences; best predictors of group membership were false memory recognition, object recognition performance and confidence, comorbid psychopathology, and vividness of visual imagery. Results suggest cognitive underconfidence may be an enduring trait in those with elevated anomalous cognitions.