Turing-like Indistinguishability Tests for the Calidation of a Computer Simulation of Paranoid Processes

A computer simulation of paranoid processes in the form of a dialogue algorithm was subjected to a validation study using indistinguishability tests. Judges rated degrees of paranoia present in initial psychiatric interviews of both paranoid patients and of versions of the paranoid model. Judges also attempted to distinguish teletyped interviews with real patients from interviews with the simulation model. The statistical results indicate a satisfactory degree of resemblance between the two groups of interviews. It is concluded that the model provides a successful simulation of naturally occurring paranoid processes as measured by these tests.