Backward masking deficit and smooth pursuit dysfunction are cognitive, information processing markers associated with schizophrenia. In schizophrenia, backward masking is typically manifest as a longer interstimulus interval over which a mask is still effective in interfering with the processing of a preceding target. Smooth pursuit dysfunction is characterized by saccadic smooth pursuit, saccadic intrusions, and low-gain pursuit. Although the natures of the two markers relative to schizophrenia are somewhat different (e.g., smooth pursuit dysfunction is a genetic marker; backward masking is associated more strongly with negative symptoms, poor prognosis schizophrenia), information processing theory indicates a possible neurocognitive relation between the two.