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Implicit Social Learning in Relation to Autistic-Like Traits

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Abstract

We investigated if variation in autistic traits in the typically-developed population (using the Autism-spectrum Quotient, AQ) influenced implicit learning of social information. In the learning phase, participants repeatedly observed two identities whose gaze and expression conveyed either a pro- or antisocial disposition. These identities were then employed in a gaze-cueing paradigm. Participants made speeded responses to a peripheral target that was spatially pre-cued by a non-predictive gaze direction. The low AQ group (n = 50) showed a smaller gaze-cueing effect for the antisocial than for the prosocial identity. The high AQ group (n = 48) showed equivalent gaze-cueing for both identities. Others’ intentions/dispositions can be learned implicitly and affect subsequent responses to their behavior. This ability is impaired with increasing levels of autistic traits.

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Notes

  1. As we employed a median split to create the low and high AQ groups, the mean AQ score for the high AQ group was low compared to the threshold of 32 for clinical levels of autistic traits (Baron-Cohen et al. 2001a). The data was therefore re-analyzed with the High AQ group defined as those in the upper quartile of AQ scores, with an AQ score of 19 or more (n = 24, M = 21.3, SD = 1.9). However, the results following this manipulation were no different from those using the median split (300 ms SOA: t(23) = 0.427, p = .673; 800 ms SOA: t(23) = 0.772, p = .448).

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the 80th Anniversary University of Hull Studentship Scheme and by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO, No. 446-08-003).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Business, Universidad del Norte, Bloque G, Piso 4, Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia

    Matthew Hudson

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK

    Tanja C. W. Nijboer & Tjeerd Jellema

  3. Psychologische Functieleer, Helmholtz Instituut, Universiteit Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Tanja C. W. Nijboer

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Hudson, M., Nijboer, T.C.W. & Jellema, T. Implicit Social Learning in Relation to Autistic-Like Traits. J Autism Dev Disord 42, 2534–2545 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1510-3

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