Magical ideation as an indicator of schizotypy

A 30-item true-false scale was developed for magical ideation, which is defined as belief in forms of causation that by conventional standards are invalid. The scale was based on P. E. Meehl's (1964) description of magical ideation as a symptom of schizotypy or schizophrenia proneness. Of 1,512 college students who completed the scale, 28 were selected who scored at least 1.91 SD above the mean on the Magical Ideation Scale. These 28 magical-ideation Ss and 27 control Ss were interviewed using a modified version of the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Lifetime Version. The magical-ideation Ss exceeded the control Ss on evidence of magical thoughts and reported more psychotic or psychoticlike experiences, more schizotypal experiences, more affective symptoms, and more difficulties in concentration. It is concluded that Ss high on the Magical Ideation Scale show symptoms suggestive of predisposition to psychosis, justifying the long-term follow-up of these persons. (27 ref)