Baron-Cohen 1997

Question 1

What was the sample?

Answer 1

76
Group 1= 16 autism/AS (13M,3F)
Group 2=50 ‘Normal’ (25M,25F)
Group 3=10 tourettes (8M,2F)

Question 2

What was the research method used?

Answer 2

Quasi

Question 3

What was the research design used?

Answer 3

Matched pairs

Question 4

What was the procedure?

Answer 4

1. 4 tasks, All ps completed theory of mind (eyes task)
2. Eyes task- 25 pairs of eyes in b&w- match the emotion
3. A/As and tourettes completed Happe’s strange stories to assess concurrent validity of eye task
4. A/AS gender and emotion recognition task as a control

Question 5

What are 2 findings?

Answer 5

• The A/AS group performed worst on the Eyes Task, scoring 16.3/25. ‘Normal’ ps scored 20.3/25, Tourette’s group got 20.4/25.
• The A/AS group showed no problems on the 2 control tasks.

Question 6

What is 1 conclusion?

Answer 6

-This suggests that only people with autism/Asperger’s lack advanced theory of mind.

Question 7

How does it relate to the key theme ‘understanding disorders’?

Answer 7

Suggest adults with autism or asperger syndrome experience impairment when it comes to Theory of Mind

Question 8

How does it relate to the individual differences area?

Answer 8

Investigate ways in which people differ

Question 9

How is Baron Cohen similar to Freud?

Answer 9

• both tried to understand disorders

- ps in both can be assumed to all be within the normal range in terms of IQ levels

Question 10

How is Baron Cohen different to Freud?

Answer 10

• F looked at anxiety, B-C looked at autism

- F 1 ps, B-C 76 ps overall