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Implicit Learning of Local Context in Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Abstract

Although previous research has reported impairments in implicit learning in individuals with ASD, research using one implicit learning paradigm, the contextual cueing task (Chun and Jiang in Cognitive Psychol 36:28–71, 1998), shows evidence of intact ability to integrate spatial contextual information. Using an adaptation of this paradigm, we replicated earlier findings showing that contextual cueing facilitates learning in ASD. Nevertheless, we found that exposure to repeated contexts that biased attention to local rather than global displays rendered it difficult for individuals with ASD to adapt to new trials. Thus, adaptive processes that allow one to respond flexibly and rapidly to new situations appear diminished in ASD when exposed to local spatial contexts. These findings have implications for practical learning strategies used in educational settings.

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Acknowledgments

The research work and writing-up was supported by a Ph.D. studentship from Durham University and post-doctoral funding from Cardiff University. Grateful thanks go to three anonymous reviewers, as well as Francesca Happé, Iain Gilchrist, Laurent Mottron and Jamie Brown for their insightful comments. We are also grateful to the college staff and students from the European Services for People with Autism, Durham Houghall College and Durham New College assisting with and participating in the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wales Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Tower Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK

    Anastasia Kourkoulou & Susan R. Leekam

  2. Department of Psychology, Science Laboratories, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK

    John M. Findlay

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  1. Anastasia Kourkoulou
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  2. Susan R. Leekam
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Correspondence to Anastasia Kourkoulou.

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Kourkoulou, A., Leekam, S.R. & Findlay, J.M. Implicit Learning of Local Context in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 42, 244–256 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1237-6

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