Baron-Cohen Flashcards
What were the independent variables in Baron’s study?
Whether the participant had autism, asperger syndrome, Tourette’s syndrome or had no diagnosis of autism
What was the aim of Baron’s study?
To test whether high functioning adults with autism and asperger syndrome would struggle with a new theory of mind test called the ‘eyes task’, this was to identify emotions just from seeing a photograph of human eyes.
What was the dependent variable in Baron’s study?
For each control mean scores for correct answers were calculated
What were the controls in Baron’s study?
- There was a control group of 25 men and 25 woman with no autistic diagnosis
- There was a second control group of people with Tourette’s, this validates that it is the autism which causes poor theory of mind
- A second test was run to identify the gender of the eyes, to make sure there was not a visual problem
- Both groups with conditions did Happe’s Strange Stories test to validate that the Eyes Task did test theory of knowledge
- in the autistic category all participants had normal intelligence
What method was used in Baron’s study?
Lab experiment with quasi groups of participants and matched pairs design, matching people with a different condition and no condition
What was the procedure in Baron’s study?
One autism group of 13 men and 3 woman, one Tourette’s control group of 8 men and two women, another control group of 25 men and 25 woman with no condition. Participants we’re show 25 black and white photos of eyes for 3 seconds each, then asked to choose between two mental states such as ‘happy though’ or ‘sad thought’. as a control task they were also asked to name the gender of the eyes. Participants in autism and Tourette’s groups also had to take the Happe’s Strange Stories test, to validate that the photos test the theory of mind ability
What were the results concluded from Baron’s study?
- On control task all participants performed normally
- On the Eye Task the autism group did significantly worse 16.3, no condition got 20.3
- No participants with Tourette’s in the Strange Stories task answered wrong, however the autistic group struggled, showing the Eyes Task tested theory of mind
What conclusions were made from Baron’s study?
- Even high functioning adults with autism including Asperger Syndrome have significant problems with theory of mind, they find it hard to read mental states of others
- the Eyes Task is a valid test of theory of mind, suitable for high functioning adults
What is theory of mind?
The ability to read other peoples emotions, people with autism including Asperges Syndrome struggles to do this
What is autism?
Difficulties in communication, relationships with other people and imagination, struggling to understanding behaviour can make it hard to form friendships, autism is normally diagnosed in childhood
What is Tourette’s?
Like autism is usually diagnosed in childhood, and can cause sever issues in making friendships and education, the main symptom is tics - involuntary movements, there can be vocal or physical
What is Happe’s Strange Stories?
Aimed at older children it tests theory of mind by asking children questions about emotions and intentions of characters in an unfamiliar story
What participants were involved in Baron’s study?
Autism: 13 male, 3 female, of normal intelligence with high functioning autism or Asperger Syndrome
No condition: 25 male, 25 female of assumed normal intelligence
Tourette’s: 8 men, 2 women
What was the participant design for Baron’s study?
A advert was sent off in the National Autistic Society’s newspaper, this is self selected sampling, matched groups design was used during the experiments, people in each group were similar.
