This study employed Chapman's matched associative distractor test in order to determine whether an associative dysfunction is unique to the schizophrenias. Schizophrenic and control subjects were administered two matched multiple choice subtests, with only one containing an incorrect associative alternative choice. Only the schizophrenics and the institutionalized elderly made significantly more errors on the associative subtest than on the no-associative subtest. Our results indicate that vulnerability to associative distractors is not a unique pathological response pattern of schizophrenia, and add support to the growing body of knowledge that many of the so-called pathognomonic dysfunctions of schizophrenia can also be found in other groups.