Visual Interaction in Psychiatric Patients: A Review
D. R. RUTTER B.A., Ph.D., M.H.T. & R.F.1
1 Bates Fellow, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, The Warneford Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7JX
Considerable interest has been shown recently in the non-verbal elements of social behaviour, but carefully conducted studies of social interaction in psychiatric patients have not been numerous. This paper reviews the evidence concerned with one element of non-verbal behaviour in psychiatric patients, namely visual interaction. The `normal pattern' and functions of Looking are first described. The evidence concerning visual interaction in schizophrenic patients, depressive patients, and psychotic children is then reviewed, and the author's own work discussed. The paper concludes with a consideration of current and future developments.
Submitted on July 12, 1972
