A deficit in social interaction, along with restricted interests and impaired communication, is one of the core features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (American Psychiatric Association - DSM IV-TR, 2002). Also a deficit in empathy has been repeatedly described in individuals with autism spectrum disorder and, more in depth, in their unaffected relatives. The aim of this study is to verify the extreme male brain theory (EMB) of autism (Baron-Cohen, 2002, 2006, 2009) according to which the autistic subjects show an "extreme male brain", focusing their choices on systematic contents rather than on emotional ones. 10 autistic children and 10 mental age-matched children had to choose individual target stimuli and to recognize these contents individually. The participants correctly select the individual target stimuli. Moreover, the results are partially in agreement with Baron-Cohen theory, autistic subjects are able to recognize systematic stimuli as well as the emotional ones, but they were slower to select them. Partially consistent with previous studies on autism, implications of the study's findings are discussed in terms of Baron-Cohen's theory. Future studies need to examine more advanced prospective relating the construct of overselectivity to working memory and executive function across developmental stage.
Systematic and emotional contents in overselectivity processes in autism
Patrizia Oliva;
2011-01-01
Abstract
A deficit in social interaction, along with restricted interests and impaired communication, is one of the core features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (American Psychiatric Association - DSM IV-TR, 2002). Also a deficit in empathy has been repeatedly described in individuals with autism spectrum disorder and, more in depth, in their unaffected relatives. The aim of this study is to verify the extreme male brain theory (EMB) of autism (Baron-Cohen, 2002, 2006, 2009) according to which the autistic subjects show an "extreme male brain", focusing their choices on systematic contents rather than on emotional ones. 10 autistic children and 10 mental age-matched children had to choose individual target stimuli and to recognize these contents individually. The participants correctly select the individual target stimuli. Moreover, the results are partially in agreement with Baron-Cohen theory, autistic subjects are able to recognize systematic stimuli as well as the emotional ones, but they were slower to select them. Partially consistent with previous studies on autism, implications of the study's findings are discussed in terms of Baron-Cohen's theory. Future studies need to examine more advanced prospective relating the construct of overselectivity to working memory and executive function across developmental stage.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
