A term first used in 1962 by paul meehl to describe a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia. The term has been used to describe a variety of negative symptoms and neuropsychological deficits present in 20%–50% of first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia.
According to Meehl, a possibly inherited neurological impairment resulting in an inability to integrate thoughts and emotions, resulting in the inability to cope with stress.