The ability to interpret and follow the gaze of our social partners is an
integral skill in human communication. Recent research has demonstrated
that gaze following behaviour is underpinned by theory of mind (ToM)
processes. However, it is yet to be determined whether the modulation of
gaze cueing by ToM is affected by individual differences, such as autistic
traits. The aim of this experiment was to establish whether autistic traits
in neurotypical populations affects the mediation of gaze cueing by ToM
processes. This study used a gaze cueing paradigm within a change detection
task. Participants’ perception of a gaze cue was manipulated such that they
only believed the cue to be able to ‘see’ in one condition. The results
revealed that participants in the low autistic traits group were
significantly influenced by the mental state of the gaze cue and were more
accurate on valid trials when they believed the cue could ‘see’. By
contrast, participants in the high autistic traits group were more accurate
on valid trials but this was not influenced by the mental state of the gaze
cue. This study therefore provides evidence that autistic traits influence
the extent to which mental state attributions modulate social attention in
neurotypical adults.
--
Dr Emma Morgan
Lecturer
Department of Psychology
University of Sheffield
Cathedral Court
1 Vicar Lane
Sheffield
S1 1HD
http://www.autismresearchlab.group.shef.ac.uk/
*Student appointments:*
Students wishing to meet with me - please book an appointment via google
calendar by clicking here
<https://calendar.google.com/calendar/selfsched?sstoken=UUlqdlVISEpSNlYtfGRlZmF1bHR8ZjY0YjgxMjZlOThmNmEwZGEyMTkxMzFhMDBhMWQ3Njg>.
Please
type a short description of the reason for the appointment in the
description field.
*I don't expect you to respond to my email outside your working hours. *
*At the University of Sheffield we value and encourage flexible working
patterns, so please be assured that I respect your working pattern and I am
looking forward to your response when you are next in work.*