Baron-cohen Flashcards
aim
- see if the revised eye test ‘works’
- test if AS/HFA would be impaired on ‘Reading the Mind in the Eyes’ task
- if there is inverse correlation between eyes test and AQ test.
- to see if females score higher on the eyes test than males (female superiority).
what was the theory being tested
Theory of mind (mentalizing/mind reading/social intelligence) -> ability to attribute mental states to oneself/another person (ability = main way we make sense/predict other persons b). Relates to empathy
Autism - difficult to u people have own plans/thoughts/
views + difficult u people’s beliefs/attitudes/emotions.
orginal test
Test of social sensitivity. But only first stage TOM = assigning appropriate mental state (eg. compassion)
Not 2nd stage: content of mental state (friend’s loss)
Comparing p’s with AS & HFA and without
- 25 photographs eyes of different actors
- Chose which of two words describes what person is thinking/feeling
- Testing theory of mind, requires empathy
problems with the orginal test
1) Forced choice, 2 choices (50%) + always opposites - Score 17/> to be above chance = ceiling effect
2) Narrow range of scores = range of scores in which the test can reveal individual dif whilst still being above chance = 9 (25-17) = too narrow. Eg. Parents HFA/AS predicted being below GP with ‘‘broader phenotype’’ but scored same as HFA/AS = not able to distinguish
3) Small number of examples (25) = ceiling effect
4) Use of basic + complex emotions - too easy
5) Solved by gaze direction (Eg. Ignoring facing away)
6) Imbalance males and female faces
7) Might not have understood words (delay present)
research method
Lab experiment: not everyday situation - emotions from photo not a regular task), high standardised
IV & DV
IV: type of participant in each condition
DV: 1) Scores on the Eye Test
2) Scores on the AQ
3) Group 1 and 4 got their IQ measured (matched pairs)
sampling techniques
Volunteer, Opportunity, Random
- AS: recruited by ad in UK AS magazine
- From adult community/education classes at Exeter or the public library at Cambridge
- Studying for undergrad in Cambridge University.
groups
4 (1 active, 3 control)
group 1) AS/HFA
group 2) adult comparison group
group 3) student comparison group
group 4) IQ matched group
sample
1) Active AS/HFA, no 15, age: 29.7, IQ: 115
2) adult comparison, no 122, age: 46.5
3) student comparison, no 103, age: 20.8
4) IQ matched group, no 14, age: 28, IQ: 116
group 1
adult males with HFA/AS (diagnosed using DSM or ICD)
n = 15
IQ = 115
age = 29.7
self selecting: UK advert in Autistic Society Magazine and support groups
sample 2
not given AQ as ‘normal’ adults - no diagnosis
n = 122
age (mean of 88 people) = 46.5
selected: education classes in Exeter, public library users in Cambridge. (Range: unemployed, workers to professionals)
group 3
‘normal’ adult students from Cambridge, no diagnosis
- n = 103
- 53 male, 50 female (not representatives of general pop - higher IQ)
- mean age: 20.8 years
group 4
randomly selected from in general pop
n = 14
IQ = 116
IQ matched with group 1 (prove intelligence not factor)
age = 28 (not significant differ)
procedure
- 36 sets of eyes (m18:f18), with 4 choices of emotion
- > (15 x 10 cm), black & white from magazine - p’s tested in quiet room in Cambridge or Exeter
- read glossary + told they could refer back any point
- Group 1 asked to judge the gender of each of the faces. (control)
- p’s in groups 1, 3 and 4 were given the AQ test.
controls
- Carefully selected sample: Socio-economic classes, educational levels
- Age & IQ matched (1 & 4)
- Glossary of terms, to ensure poor performance on revised eyes test not due to errors in comprehension
- AS/HFA group asked to judge the gender of each person in each photo (make sure they see the world as we do, testing social impairments)
- correct word - emotion judged by 8 judges (5 agree)
