Baren-Cohen et al

• Psych Being Investigated

  autism spectrum disorder (ASD): difficulties social functioning

  -refers to both high func (HFA) and Asperger Synd (AS)

  people w ASD lack/underdeveloped cog processes

  
  

  theory of mind: differences understanding people have own thoughts, pov

  -identify emotional state w mental state
• Background

  investigated whether adults w ASD had problem w theory of mind

  -comp group individuals w AD (1997)
• Practical Issues Revised Version

  -only 2 options changed to 4

  -basic emotions changed to complex

  -check direction gazing was deleted

  -imbalance of m/f to equal

  -par might not understand word now given glossary
• Aim

  whether improved 'revised' version of the eyes test show a clear impairment in ASD adults asses effectiveness

  -association between performance on rev eye test + measures of traits of ASD to investigate whether sex dif in those w/o ASD on task
• 5 hypotheses

  -par w ASD will score significantly lower scores on rev eye test than cg

  -par w ASD score sig higher on Autism Spectrum Quotient Test (AQ)

  
  

  -females in norm groups (2/3) score higher on eyes test than males

  -males in norm group score higher in AQ measure than females

  
  

  -scores on AQ and eyes test negative correlate
• Research Method

  labratory exp: quasi (assigned to condition based on given characteristic)

  exp design: independent groups; comparisons made betw different groups

  
  

  IV: type of participants in each condition

  -3 control/comparison groups 2-4

  -1 exp group/AS/HFA group 1

  DV: score on revised eye test + AS/HFA IQ matched control cond: IQ
• Sample: G1

  AS/HFA:

  -15 males, IQ score 115

  -mean age 29.7yrs

  -self selecting: adverts Autistic Soc Mag + support groups diagnosed spec centers using DSM/ICD criteria
• Control: G2

  Adult Comparison:

  -selected from adult community/education classes in Exter (UK) and public library users Cambridge

  -mean age 46.5yrs
• G3

  Student Comparison:

  -selected Univ Cambridge, highly selective, not rep of gen pop

  -mean age 20.8yrs
• G4

  Matched IQ:

  -14 IQ matched par mean age 28 yrs

  -mean IQ 116

  -randomly selected from gen pop
• Procedure

  40 sets words, 1 target word + 3 foil words = 4

  -4 prod inconsistent results in cg, 36 18m/f

  
  

  BEGIN: dictionary for words to read through all at first, could refer to later on

  -eyes test for all participants, gender recognition only group 1 as a control task

  -identify characteristics of eyes not dependent on theory of mind
• Results

  par w AS/HFA G1 correctly identified fewer target words(mean score 21.9) than 3 comp groups (G2: 26.2; G3: 28; G4: 30.9)

  
  

  adult/student comp: sex dif apparent betw m/f (not sig)

  -AS/HFA: 33+/36 gender recog

  
  

  AQ task: par AS/HFA scored higher (35) than student comp/IQ

  -smaller but sig dif betw m/f in student comp

  
  

  significant negative correlation betw AQ/Eye test scores (-0.53) no correlation betw IQ/Eyes test

  SUGGESTS: AQ score increases ability to identify correct target word in eyes test decreases (indep of individuals intelligence)
• Conclusion

  par in AS/HFA group had spec deficit in cog proc help them identify emotions in others (theory of mind)

  -eyes test detected subtle, specific impairment in otherwise intelligent

  
  

  sex dif: patter in males similar to ASD (lower scores on eye tests/greater levels autistic traits on AQ than fem) needs more reas

  
  

  -revised eye test more sensitive measure adult soc intelligence
• Strengths

  lab exp: comp tasks standardized way

  -reduced confunding var (risk of distractions =quiet room, read glossary before starting)

  -improved internal validity + allows replicability

  eyes test improve prev vers: changes led to normal perf (no ceiling effect)
• Weakness

  quasi exp: not possible to randomly allocate par to cond (could introduce confunding variable other factors than ASD affecting scores betw cond)

  -partially resolved w 2 dif control grouos

  lacks ecological validity: static (eyes isolation, whole faces instead of just eyes)

  -attempt to apply everyday situation flawed

  -couldve used videos over images

  experimental sample only 15par, not representative to all w AS/HFA
• Ethical Issues

  informed consent, data kept confidential

  -terms 'normal' performance and 'impaired' AS/HFA represent neurodiverse groups in negative way

  -could be argued provide understanding