Weak central coherene theory

• Frith came up with this theory because TOM had a lot of critism
• Central coherence is how people process information to understand the world
• Local processing is when people focus on the small details to solve problems
• Global processing is when people put all the details together to understand the bigger picture
• Central coherence is the ability to put all the fine details together into a meaningful whole
• Someone with a strong CC is a global processer and can put details together to form a big picture
• People with ASD have a weak CC,they are less likely to look at the broader context
• When those with ASD are presented with a lot of information,they may single out and focus relentlessly on it
• This can act as a deficit when the task requires looking at the bigger picture but excel at tasks which involve small details
• Those with ASD are local processors
• Happe and Frith


  cognitive style,some prefer one way of processing over another
• CC exists on a scale,most people fall in between
• Some people with ASD can hear a vacuum and tell you the make and model
• They can instantly notice something missing off a shelf
• However,their ability to notice small details can be distressing is they notice small changes in their surroundings