The semantic satiation is defined as a subjective loss of access to the meaning of repeated stimuli. Previous researches revealed that in paranoid schizophrenia this effect occurs faster than in healthy controls, and could be responsible for problems linked with fear recognition.

The aim of the current study was to investigate whether the semantic satiation effect could be the possible cognitive mechanism underlying the problems connected with fearful faces recognition in delusion - prone individuals.

Two groups of students: individuals with high and low scores on Peters’ Delusion Inventory participated in the study. They were presented with photos of fearful, happy and neutral faces. In control conditions all photos were displayed 3 times, in experimental one - 30 times in order to evoke the effect of the loss of access to the meaning of the images. Participants’ task was to decide if the emotion displayed was named correctly.

Within the group of individuals who scored high on the PDI the satiation of fearful faces was greater, than in the control group. Unlike them, individuals who scored low on PDI revealed the greater satiation effect related to happiness.

Individuals with subclinical forms of delusions tend to loss the meaning of fear displayed by other people quicker than individuals who are not delusion - prone. The semantic satiation effect could be considered as a possible cause of difficulties in fear perception.