Recognising ‘social’ and ‘non-social’ emotions in self and others: A study of autism

Abstract

Studies of emotion processing in autism have produced mixed results, with fewer studies observing autism-specific deficits than might be imagined. In the current study, 21 individuals with autism and 21 age-and ability-matched, learning disabled comparison participants were tested for their ability to (a) recognise, in others, expressions of "social" emotions (e.g., embarrassment) and "non-social" emotions (e.g., happiness) and; (b) report their own previous experiences of each of these emotions.In line with predictions, amongst both groups of participants, social emotions were more difficult to recognise and report than non-social emotions. Also amongst both groups, the ability to report social emotion-experience was significantly associated with the ability to recognise social emotions in others, independent of age and verbal ability. However, contrary to predictions, there were no group differences in the levels or patterns of performance amongst participants with autism and comparison participants.In light of previous research, these results suggest either that emotionprocessing is not as specifically impaired in autism as is traditionally thought to be the case, or that individuals with autism are implementing compensatory strategies to succeed on experimental tasks in the absence of emotion-processing competence.

A Systematic Literature Review of Emotion Regulation Measurement in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…With the ASD population in particular, emotional awareness may be a prerequisite to attentional deployment [Rieffe et al, 2011]. Research suggests that individuals with ASD have difficulties recognizing their own and others' emotions [Baron-Cohen et al, 2000], are significantly more alexithymic than their peers [Hill et al, 2004;Tani et al, 2004;Williams & Happé, 2010], and have a higher likelihood of focusing on negative or irrelevant information than their peers [Embregts & van Nieuwenhuijzen, 2009]. Some preliminary evidence suggests that these irregular patterns of responding in individuals with ASD are based in atypical physiological responses to emotional stimuli, such as less arousal to sad expressions than typical controls [Bölte, Feineis-Matthews, & Poustka, 2008].…”

Measuring the effects of alexithymia on perception of emotional vocalizations in autistic spectrum disorder and typical development

“…However, although the behavioural presentation of ASD clearly encompasses difficulties in understanding emotional cues on faces and in voices, the results from several more recent experimental studies suggest that the severity of emotion processing deficits may be considerably more variable than was originally thought. Indeed, several studies have failed to reveal deficits in emotion processing in ASD relative to matched controls (Grossman et al 2000 ;Castelli, 2005 ;Williams & Happé, 2010). In one such study Jones et al (2011) presented large samples of adolescents with and without ASD with emotional faces (Ekman & Friesen, 1976) and vocal expressions of emotion (Sauter, 2006).…”

Experience, recursive awareness and understanding in autism spectrum disorders: insights of parents and teachers in Singapore

“…While the majority report that learners with ASD have limitations in awareness of their own mental states and understanding of those in others (e.g., BaronCohen et al, 1985;Williams & Happé, 2009), a minority disagrees (e.g., Williams & Happé, 2010). Further disparities are found when experimental studies are compared with first-person reports, with the experimental studies highlighting the limitations in the awareness and understanding of individuals with ASD and the first-person reports highlighting their abilities.…”

“…Silliman et al (2003) found that while individuals with ASD demonstrated poor performance in predicting the behaviour of others by inferring their false beliefs, these same individuals showed uncompromised performance in predicting their behaviour by inferring their emotions. Williams and Happé (2010) found no differences between individuals with and without ASD in their ability to recognize emotions in themselves and others, and suggested that individuals with ASD may not have a specific impairment in emotional processing. They also reported a significant association between the ability to report one's own experienced social emotions, such as guilt and pride, and the ability to recognize them in others.…”