Lecture 11 - Baron-cohen Flashcards
What is neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity refers to the natural, healthy, and valuable variation in cognitive functioning. It emphasizes that there is no “normal” or “optimal” brain function.
What does “neurotypical” mean?
Neurotypical refers to individuals whose brain functions align with what is typically considered “normal” or “healthy.”
What does the term “neurodivergence” mean?
Neurodivergence refers to brains that function in ways different from what is typically considered “normal” or “healthy.”
What is a “neurominority”?
A neurominority is a group of individuals who share the same neurodivergence, such as autistic individuals who are considered a neurominority.
How common is neurodivergence?
About 1 in 7 people (more than 15% in the UK) are neurodivergent, including conditions like Autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia, and Dyslexia.
Why is neurodivergence important as a social issue?
Neurodivergence is a social issue because individuals in neurominorities face prejudice, discrimination, stigma, and social exclusion due to their differences from neurotypical individuals.
Who were Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger, and what was their contribution to the understanding of autism?
Leo Kanner (1943) and Hans Asperger (1944) independently described autism, with Kanner focusing on “infantile autism” and Asperger describing a milder form of the condition now known as Asperger’s Syndrome.
What was the “Triad of Impairments” as defined by Wing and Gould in 1979?
The Triad of Impairments refers to three core areas in which individuals with autism face challenges: social interaction, communication, and imagination.
What are the core diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) according to DSM-V?
ASD diagnosis requires deficits in social communication and social interaction, along with restricted and repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities.
How did early theories such as Bettelheim’s “Refrigerator Mother” contribute to misunderstandings about autism?
Bettelheim’s theory that autism was caused by cold or “emotionless” parenting was disproven but caused significant harm by blaming parents and stigmatizing them.
What is Theory of Mind (ToM), and how does it relate to autism?
Theory of Mind is the ability to attribute mental states to others, helping individuals predict others’ behavior. Autistic individuals are often believed to have deficits in ToM, making social interactions more challenging.
What was the main finding of Baron-Cohen, Leslie, & Frith’s 1985 study on ToM in autism?
They found that children with autism struggled with understanding false beliefs in others, as shown in the Sally-Anne task, suggesting a “mindblindness” hypothesis where autistic individuals have difficulty with social cognition.
What is the “mindblindness” hypothesis?
The mindblindness hypothesis suggests that autistic individuals struggle to attribute mental states to others, leading to difficulties in understanding and predicting social behavior.
What are some criticisms of the Theory of Mind (ToM) hypothesis in explaining autism?
Critics argue that ToM doesn’t explain all features of autism, such as restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. Additionally, ToM deficits are found in other conditions (e.g., schizophrenia, depression), not just autism.
What is the “Executive Dysfunction Hypothesis” of autism?
This hypothesis suggests that individuals with autism have difficulties with executive functions like planning, organizing, and controlling their behavior, which can contribute to repetitive and stereotypical actions.
What does the “Weak Central Coherence” theory explain in autism?
The Weak Central Coherence theory posits that individuals with autism tend to focus on details rather than seeing the “big picture.” This may explain why they excel in tasks requiring attention to detail but struggle with holistic processing.
What is “Monotropism,” and how does it relate to autism?
Monotropism suggests that individuals with autism have fewer interests at any given time, and these interests attract more attention and cognitive resources, leading to difficulties in shifting focus.
What is the “Double Empathy Problem” proposed by Milton?
The Double Empathy Problem suggests that difficulties in communication between autistic and neurotypical individuals arise not just from autistic deficits, but from the mismatch between different neurotypes in understanding each other.
How does social orientation theory explain challenges in Theory of Mind for autistic individuals?
The social orientation theory suggests that autistic individuals may have a primary deficit in the motivation to attend to social stimuli, which impairs their ability to engage with social tasks and develop social cognition.
What is the Empathizing-Systemizing theory, and how does it relate to autism?
The Empathizing-Systemizing theory suggests that individuals with autism tend to have low empathizing (ability to understand others’ emotions) and high systemizing (ability to understand systems and patterns), which can explain the cognitive profile of autism.
What is the impact of Simon Baron-Cohen’s work on autism research?
Simon Baron-Cohen’s work has significantly influenced research on autism, particularly through the Theory of Mind and Empathizing-Systemizing theories, and has shaped how we understand and diagnose autism.
What is the criticism of Simon Baron-Cohen’s gendered brain theory in relation to autism?
Critics argue that the gendered brain theory, which suggests that autism is an “extreme male brain,” is flawed and lacks empirical support. The theory has been criticized for reinforcing gender stereotypes.
How do newer perspectives on autism, like neurodiversity, challenge traditional views?
The neurodiversity movement emphasizes that differences in brain function, such as those seen in autism, are natural and valuable forms of human diversity, challenging views that focus on deficits and abnormalities in neurodivergent individuals.
How does the social model of neurodivergence impact our understanding of autism?
The social model of neurodivergence emphasizes that challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals arise not only from their neurological differences but also from societal barriers, biases, and the lack of inclusive environments.
What role does stigma play in the lives of neurodivergent individuals?
Stigma based on neurodivergence leads to social exclusion, discrimination, and biases, which can negatively impact the personal and professional well-being of neurodivergent individuals.
