Social Cognition and Metacognition in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenics experience a broad array of deficits in social cognition and metacognition making it difficult for them to understand the speech, facial expressions and hence emotion and intention of others, as well as having little insight into their own mental state. These deficits are associated with poor social skills, fewer social relationships, and are predictive of poorer performance in a work setting. Recent research has focused on the precise nature of these deficits, when and how they manifest themselves, what their effect is on the course of schizophrenia, and how each can be treated. It is now believed that these deficits may themselves be why schizophrenia is so difficult to resolve, and by focusing on the deficits, recovery may be quicker and long lasting.