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Emotion Perception or Social Cognitive Complexity: What Drives Face Processing Deficits in Autism Spectrum Disorder?

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Abstract

Some, but not all, relevant studies have revealed face processing deficits among those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In particular, deficits are revealed in face processing tasks that involve emotion perception. The current study examined whether either deficits in processing emotional expression or deficits in processing social cognitive complexity drive face processing deficits in ASD. We tested adults with and without ASD on a battery of face processing tasks that varied with respect to emotional expression processing and social cognitive complexity. Results revealed significant group differences on tasks involving emotional expression processing, but typical performance on a non-emotional but socially complex task. These results support an emotion processing rather than a social complexity explanation for face processing deficits in ASD.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a Grant given to M.D. Rutherford from the Social Sciences and Humanities. The authors wish to thank all of the participants for their generous participation in this study.

Author Contributions

JAW, SEC, and MDR developed the study design; JAW led data collection and management; JAW led statistical analysis and data interpretation; SEC, and MDR participated in data interpretation; JAW, SEC, and MDR participated in drafting the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada

    Jennifer A. Walsh, Sarah E. Creighton & M. D. Rutherford

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  1. Jennifer A. Walsh
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  2. Sarah E. Creighton
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  3. M. D. Rutherford
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Correspondence to Jennifer A. Walsh.

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Walsh, J.A., Creighton, S.E. & Rutherford, M.D. Emotion Perception or Social Cognitive Complexity: What Drives Face Processing Deficits in Autism Spectrum Disorder?. J Autism Dev Disord 46, 615–623 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2606-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2606-3

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