Baron-Cohen et al's cognitive core study on the eyes tests Flashcards
Assumptions of the cognitive approach and how they relate to this core study
The cognitive approach would explain autism along the lines of a cognitive deficit. For autism, a popular cognitive explanation is lack of theory of mind as suggested by Baron-Cohen et al. This means that an autistic person is not able to infer other peoples mental states such as beliefs and emotions. An autistic child might think that someone else is also thinking and feeling in the same way they do, and knows the same things.
The psychology that is being investigated
theory of mind: the ability to recognize mental states, desires, and beliefs of ourselves and others. It is believed that many people on the autism spectrum do not have theory of mind.
Social sensitivity: our ability to perceive and identify social cues in society
Explain the original study
- had 25 eye pairs
- Chose mental state between 2 options
- more females faces then male
- Both basic and complex mental states
The Background
- “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” test was developed to assess the theory of mind. This appeared to discriminate between adults with the Asperger syndrome (AS) or high-functioning autistic (HFA) adults from control adults.
- The two former groups scored significantly worse. However, the researchers were not happy with elements of the original study and wanted to “upgrade” their measures to make it better
The Aims
- To see if females had a higher score than males on the eye test
- To test a group of adults with AS or HFA on the revised eyes test
Describe Participants in Group 1
- 15 males with AS or HFA
- recruited through UK Nat. Autistic socitey magazine or support group
- All formaly diagnosed
Describe Participants in Group 2
- broad range
- 122 normal adults
- recrutied trhough adult community and education classes
- From public library in Cambridge
Describe Participants in Group 3
- Assumed to have high IQ
- 103 normal adults
- 53 male
- 50 female
- all undergrads from Cambridge univeristy
Describe Participants in Group 4
- Random selection
- 14 adults
- match with IQ of group 1
How were the foils and target words chosen?
- It was piloted on 8 judges (4 males and 4 females).
- At least 5 judges had to agree on the target word and no more than 2 judges could select any single foil word.
- If this did happen, the target word and or foil would be repiloted until the criteria were met for each.
Outline the revised eye test
- 36 pairs of eyes
- had a glossary
- only complex states
- males = females
The procedures
- The Revised Eyes Test was administered individually in a controlled setting.
- Participants were presented with photographs showing the eye region of different actors and actresses and were asked to select from multiple-choice options the word that best described what the person in the photograph was thinking or feeling.
- A glossary of mental state terms was provided, and participants could consult it if they were unsure of a word’s meaning.
The research method used
aka experimental method
experimental
Independent variables used
- 4 groups of participants
Dependent variables used
- scores on the eyes test and the AQ
The sampling method used
Opportunity and Volunteer sampling
The experimental design used
Idependent Groups
The controls used
Each participant completed it individually in a quiet room
Ps told to use glossary with words they were unsure of
Types of questions asked
Particpants in group one were asked to judge the gender of the person in the image
Groups 1, 3, and 4 completed…
a questionair to measure their AQ
AQ = autism quotient
Data collection method used
Answers correct of the 36 question revised eyes test
Ethical issues
- Protection particapants in group 1 scored poorly on eyes test and could have caused them stres.
- If did not understand emotions test might have been too diffuclt casuign distress
Outline one problem that could arise if children were used as participants in the study by Baron-Cohen et al. (eyes test).
There are ethical issues with using children (1 mark: identification). This could be protection from psychological harm (1 mark: elaboration).In this study, children may have found the procedure stressful as it could have felt like a test or examination (1 mark: link).
1 mark for identification of the problem.
1 mark for elaboration of the problem (can be linked to study or not)
1 mark for linking it to Baron-Cohen et al.
Results
Quantitative/qualitative data & how it is represented and interpeted
- In general females scored better then males
- The AS/HFA group performed significantly worse than the other the groups in the eyes test. but higher in the AQ
Conclusion drawn
revised version of the eyes test could still discriminate between AS/HFA adults and controls from different sections of society as it replicated previous finding. The new test appeared to overcome the initial problems.
Strengths
Methodological issues:
Reserach method, reliabilty,validty,generalibily,& control of variables
- High Validity - high levels of control all patients tested on the same scale and had a glossry
- High Reliability – standardized procedures and controls. new revised eyes rest fond reliable resultes
Weakness
Methodological Issues
Reserach method, reliabilty,validty,generalibily,& control of variables
- Low ecological validity the stimuli are static, whereas the real world never is
- validity Whether the revised test is actually measuring the theory of mind traits or just the ability to complete the eyes test.
completing an eye test in a lab is not an everyday task so it lacks mundane relasim.
Everyday Life
The issues of application of psychology and how it realtes to the study
Programmes could be conducted to help people with AS/HFA in developing their skills of interpreting emotions. The eyes test could be improved to help diagnose individuals who may have underlying autistic disorders.
Individual and Situational explanations debate
how it relates to the study
The AS/HFA group performed significantly worse on the RET than the ‘normal’ group. This suggests that the ability to identify mental states is an individual skill that is developed. The environment had been standardised (supports individual explanation).
