Is emotion recognition impaired in individuals with autism spectrum disorders?

Jessica L Tracy, Richard W Robins, Roberta A Schriber, Marjorie Solomon, Jessica L Tracy, Richard W Robins, Roberta A Schriber, Marjorie Solomon

Abstract

Researchers have argued that individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) use an effortful "systematizing" process to recognize emotion expressions, whereas typically developing (TD) individuals use a more holistic process. If this is the case, individuals with ASDs should show slower and less efficient emotion recognition, particularly for socially complex emotions. We tested this account by assessing the speed and accuracy of emotion recognition while limiting exposure time and response window. Children and adolescents with ASDs showed quick and accurate recognition for most emotions, including pride, a socially complex emotion, and no differences emerged between ASD and TD groups. Furthermore, both groups trended toward higher accuracy when responding quickly, even though systematizing should promote a speed-accuracy trade-off for individuals with ASDs.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Mean recognition rates for the Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Typically Developing (TD) groups. Note: Ns = 29 (ASD); 31 (TD); no significant differences between groups emerged. All recognition rates except for contempt and fear were significantly greater than chance (50%), p < .05
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mean response times for accurate responders in the ASD and TD groups. Note: No significant differences between groups emerged, all ps > .10

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Source: PubMed

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