Foetal testosterone, social relationships, and restricted interests in children

Knickmeyer, Rebecca; Baron‐Cohen, Simon; Raggatt, P R; Taylor, Kevin

doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00349.x

Cited by 235 publications

(180 citation statements)

References 106 publications

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“…fT levels have been identified as one such candidate (28). The mental rotation task has been found to be directly correlated with fT levels (29) as have narrow interests in children (30). Narrow interests might result from high systemizing because the interests themselves focus on specific systems, and itself entails narrow attention to details as variables playing a role in the working of the system.…”

Section: Systemizingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Foetal testosterone and the child systemizing quotient

Auyeung¹,

Baron‐Cohen²,

Chapman³

et al. 2006

eur j endocrinol

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113

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This study examines foetal testosterone (fT) levels (measured in amniotic fluid) as a candidate biological factor, influencing sex differences in systemizing. Systemizing is a cognitive process, defined as the drive to analyze or construct systems. A recent model of psychological sex differences suggests that this is a major dimension in which the sexes differ, with males being more drawn to systemize than females. Participants included 204 children (93 female), age 6-9 years, taking part in a long-term study on the effects of fT. The systemizing quotient -children's version was administered to these mothers to answer on behalf of their child. Males (meanZ27.79G7.64) scored significantly higher than females (meanZ22.59G7.53), confirming that boys systemize to a greater extent than girls.Stepwise regression analysis revealed that fT was the only significant predictor of systemizing preference when the sexes were examined together. Sex was not included in the final regression model, suggesting that fT levels play a greater role than the child's sex in terms of differences in systemizing preference. This study suggests that the levels of fT are a biological factor influencing cognitive sex differences and lends support to the empathizing-systemizing theory of sex differences.European Journal of Endocrinology 155 S123-S130

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Section: Systemizingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Foetal testosterone and the child systemizing quotient

Auyeung¹,

Baron‐Cohen²,

Chapman³

et al. 2006

eur j endocrinol

Self Cite

113

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“…143,144 Recently, the possible association between fetal testosterone concentration and certain autistic behaviors such as abnormal social relationships and restricted interests at 4 years of age was investigated. 145 …”

Section: Prenatal Periodmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification and Evaluation of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Johnson

Myers²

2007

Pediatrics

1,677

1,038

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Autism spectrum disorders are not rare; many primary care pediatricians care for several children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatricians play an important role in early recognition of autism spectrum disorders, because they usually are the first point of contact for parents. Parents are now much more aware of the early signs of autism spectrum disorders because of frequent coverage in the media; if their child demonstrates any of the published signs, they will most likely raise their concerns to their child's pediatrician. It is important that pediatricians be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorders and have a strategy for assessing them systematically. Pediatricians also must be aware of local resources that can assist in making a definitive diagnosis of, and in managing, autism spectrum disorders. The pediatrician must be familiar with developmental, educational, and community resources as well as medical subspecialty clinics. This clinical report is 1 of 2 documents that replace the original American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement and technical report published in 2001. This report addresses background information, including definition, history, epidemiology, diagnostic criteria, early signs, neuropathologic aspects, and etiologic possibilities in autism spectrum disorders. In addition, this report provides an algorithm to help the pediatrician develop a strategy for early identification of children with autism spectrum disorders. The accompanying clinical report addresses the management of children with autism spectrum disorders and follows this report on page 1162 [available at www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/120/5/1162]. Both clinical reports are complemented by the toolkit titled “Autism: Caring for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Resource Toolkit for Clinicians,” which contains screening and surveillance tools, practical forms, tables, and parent handouts to assist the pediatrician in the identification, evaluation, and management of autism spectrum disorders in children.

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“…The results show a negative correlation between fT and scores for quality of social relationships and a positive correlation for restricted interests (Knickmeyer, Baron-Cohen, Raggatt, & Taylor, 2005). Males scored higher on the restricted interests subscale (Cohen's d = 0.64), whereas females scored higher for quality of social relationships (Cohen's d = 0.47;; Appendix A, .…”

Section: The Foetal Testosterone Theory Of Autismmentioning

confidence: 86%

Extreme Male Brain Theory of Autism

Liu¹,

Konkle²

2011

RISS-IJHS

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Les troubles du spectre autistique (TSA) sont une catégorie de troubles de la neurologie du développement présentant des symptômes de dégradation sociale et des communications, ainsi que des comportements restrictifs et répétitifs. Ils sont davantage présents chez les hommes que chez les femmes, et cette diffé-rence entre les sexes a beaucoup influencé les hypothèses au sujet de leur étiolo-gie. La théorie du cerveau mâle extrême (CME) est un modèle cognitif proposé par Simon Baron-Cohen pour expliquer les différences entre les sexes et les causes potentielles des TSA susmentionnés. Elle repose sur sa théorie d'empathisation-systématisation, qui consiste à classer les sujets dans cinq profils cognitifs (Type S, Type E, Type B, Type S extrême et Type E extrême). Ces profils cognitifs déterminent la capacité du sujet de systématiser et d'être en empathie avec. La systématisation est la capacité de comprendre un système et d'en dé-duire les règles. Elle exige des capacités de déduction et d'analyse. L'empathie a trait à la compréhension des émotions et des comportements humains, ce qui exige des capacités sociales et de communication. Les hommes ont tendance à mieux systématiser, tandis que les femmes présentent le profil opposé. Selon la théorie du CME, les autistes auraient un profil de Type S extrême, car on peut expliquer leurs troubles de communication sociale par leur déficit d'empathie, alors qu'on peut relier à leur fort niveau de systématisation leur préoccupation au sujet des patrons et leur comportement axé sur les détails. Ensemble, ces modèles cognitifs ont conduit à la théorie de la testostérone foetale (Tf), qui stipule qu'un niveau élevé de testostérone prénatale est un facteur de risque pour le profil cognitif hypermasculinisé des sujets atteints de TSA. Dans cet article, les auteurs évaluent la validité des théories du CME et de la Tf, en étudiant la documentation portant sur la Tf avec des caractéristiques autistes dans l'ensemble de la population. Ces sept études ont confirmé une corrélation entre des niveaux élevés de Tf et une augmentation des caractéristiques autistes, mais il faut envisager d'y mettre des limites au moment de généraliser ces informations à un échantillon de sujets atteints de TSA. Mots-clés :Troubles du spectre autistique, théorie du cerveau mâle extrême, théorie d'empathisationsystématisation, théorie de la testostérone foetale 33 Abstract:Autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) are a category of neurodevelopmental disorders with symptoms of communication and social impairment, and the exhibition of restrictive and repetitive behaviours. Their occurrence is greater in males than females and this sex difference has played an important part in hypothesizing their etiology. The Extreme Male Brain (EMB) theory is a cognitive model proposed by Simon Baron-Cohen to explain the aforementioned sex differences and potential cause of ASCs. It is based upon his Empathizing -Systemizing theory, which classifies individuals into one of five cognitive profiles (Type S, Type E, Type B, Extreme ...

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Foetal testosterone, social relationships, and restricted interests in children

Abstract: These findings implicate fT in both social development and attentional focus. They may also have implications for understanding the sex ratio in autism.

Cited by 235 publications

References 106 publications

Foetal testosterone and the child systemizing quotient

Foetal testosterone and the child systemizing quotient

Identification and Evaluation of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Extreme Male Brain Theory of Autism

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