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Recognising social and non-social emotions in self and others: A study of autism

Williams, David M., Happe, Francesca (2010) Recognising social and non-social emotions in self and others: A study of autism. Autism: International Journal of Research and Practice, 14 (4). pp. 285-304. ISSN 1461-7005. (doi:10.1177/1362361309344849) (KAR id:34003)

Abstract

Studies of emotion processing in autism have produced mixed results, with fewer studies observing autism-specific deficits than might be imagined. In the current study, 21 individuals with autism and 21 age- and ability-matched, learning disabled comparison participants were tested for their ability to (a) recognise, in others, expressions of “social” emotions (e.g., embarrassment) and “non-social” emotions (e.g., happiness) and; (b) report their own previous experiences of each of these emotions.

In line with predictions, amongst both groups of participants, social emotions were more difficult to recognise and report than non-social emotions. Also amongst both groups, the ability to report social emotion-experience was significantly associated with the ability to recognise social emotions in others, independent of age and verbal ability. However, contrary to predictions, there were no group differences in the levels or patterns of performance amongst participants with autism and comparison participants.

In light of previous research, these results suggest either that emotion-processing is not as specifically impaired in autism as is traditionally thought to be the case, or that individuals with autism are implementing compensatory strategies to succeed on experimental tasks in the absence of emotion-processing competence.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1177/1362361309344849
Uncontrolled keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emotion Processing, Self-Awareness, Self-Conscious Emotion, Social Emotion.
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: David Williams
Date Deposited: 28 May 2013 09:33 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:11 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/34003 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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