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Evolutionary Aspects of Schizotypy

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A Dimensional Approach to Schizotypy
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Abstract

Schizotypy is commonly conceptualized as a pathological condition. Studies on brain structure and genetics suggest that schizotypy overlaps with schizophrenia across multiple behavioral and neurobiological domains. In this chapter, we approach schizotypy from an evolutionary point of view. Specifically, we argue that traits associated with the phenotype of schizotypy are not necessarily pathological. Instead, some traits may have evolved because they may increase an individual’s reproductive success. When excessively expressed, however, these traits may increase the risk for psychosis, which is associated with reduced fecundity. As no single evolutionary explanation works to account for all signs and symptoms associated with schizophrenia or schizotypy, we discuss different evolutionary models of schizotypy and schizophrenia, including ones referring to life-history theory. Together, future research should explore the intersection of different proximate and evolutionary explanations, rather than searching for a single factor, consistent with the framework proposed by Tinbergen. The evolved psychosocial mechanisms related to schizotypy—as any other human feature—can be better understood by considering how selective advantages and disadvantages are interconnected.

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Correspondence to Martin Brüne .

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Cheli, S., Brüne, M. (2023). Evolutionary Aspects of Schizotypy. In: Cheli, S., Lysaker, P.H. (eds) A Dimensional Approach to Schizotypy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-41788-7_2

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