Biological Explanation for Autism (Extreme Male Brain)

Question 1

How is autism caused according to the biological explanation for autism (EMB)?

Answer 1

Excess exposure to and production of testosterone in the
womb

Question 2

What does the biological explanation for autism (EMB) say about the brain?

Answer 2

More masculinised
An ‘extreme’ version of the brain structure/activity seen in neurotypical males

Question 3

Features of more masculinised brains according to the biological explanation for autism (EMB)?

Answer 3

Less connected corpus callosum
More lateralise

They are adept at ‘male’ tasks e.g. ‘organisation’, being rule and task focused rather than person focused

Question 4

What are systemisers?

Answer 4

Use rules to organise internal and external events)

Question 5

How do systemisers link to autism according to the biological explanation for autism (EMB)?

Answer 5

Autism is an example of extreme systemisers, where they like patterns, rules, organisation and are
low in empathising (reading others emotions)

Question 6

Why do those with autism have difficulties with understanding others emotions and have socialisation problems according to the biological explanation for autism (EMB)?

Answer 6

Their brain is lateralised and they are higher systemisers

Question 7

Which gender is autism more commonly found in?

Answer 7

Males to females (3:1)

Question 8

What is a stereotypical play in childhood according to the biological explanation for autism (EMB)?

Answer 8

Stacking and lining things

Question 9

Why do those with autism get upset if things are not in routine, according to the biological explanation for autism (EMB)?

Answer 9

Their love of routine

Question 10

On average which gender develops speech slower?

Answer 10

Males - characteristic of autism

Question 11

What do savant abilities tend to be?

Answer 11

Math/spatial related etc

Question 12

How does Falter support the biological explanation for autism (EMB)?

Answer 12

Found those with ASD did better in mental rotation and figure dis-embedding tasks (typical male
tasks) (higher ability with systemiser tasks) so its a credible explanation of Autism

Question 13

How do Wen & Wen support the biological explanation for autism (EMB)?

Answer 13

Found that traits linked to ASD are also linked with anti-social personality, such as
lower empathy (also more males get this, ratio 4:1)

Saw brain differences between autism and
those who are neurotypical (focusing on the amygdala)

Question 14

Why is the biological explanation for autism (EMB) scientific?

Answer 14

Empirical as its measuring brain structure directly so we can reliably test the brain structure to show those with ASD do
have ‘extreme male brain’

Question 15

How is the biological explanation for autism (EMB) useful?

Answer 15

High face validity as it explains ASD characteristics e.g. being strict with
rules so we can help put in place things to help people who may be struggling

Question 16

How does Falter conflict the biological explanation for autism (EMB)?

Answer 16

Found there was no correlation with performance on tasks and finger ratio – (from Biological
psychology: 2D, 4D ratio being linked to testosterone levels) so its a less credible
explanation of ASD if there is no relationship between T levels and ASD characteristics

Question 17

What is a OTOH to Falter’s no correlation point for the biological explanation for autism (EMB)?

Answer 17

Those with ASD should have done better on targeting tasks, but in fact they did worse suggesting that ‘extreme male brain’ might be simplistic as an explanation, as it doesn’t explain all patterns/deficits of the Autistic person

Question 18

Why is Theory of Mind a better explanation than the biological explanation for autism (EMB)?

Answer 18

ASD could be an impairment in Theory of Mind, not testosterone levels so ToM may be a
better explanation as it does not ignore cognitive deficit, making EMB reductionist

Question 19

Why are there cause and effect issues with the biological explanation for autism (EMB)?

Answer 19

We don’t know if testosterone causes ASD or whether ASD causes differing T levels because much of the research about testosterone and
autism is correlational in nature

Question 20

Why does the biological explanation for autism (EMB) not cover the full picture of autism?

Answer 20

We do not see any other effects of increased testosterone that we may expect,
e.g. heightened aggression so we are not getting the whole explanation of ASD