Abstract
ABSTRACT Despite common beliefs about facial processing deficits in autism, many studies have failed to confirm qualitative impairments. Individual differences within the autistic population are likely key confounding factors. The dichotomy of the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) has been recognized in psychometric literature among subclinical and clinical population, enabling large-sample research on how heterogeneous autistic traits affect face perception. Here we innovatively used face pareidolia, the illusion of seeing faces in non-face objects, to investigate how different autistic traits affect face perception. Our results showed that higher AQ-social scores (social and communication aspects) were linked to a lower likelihood of seeing illusory faces, while higher AQ-attention-to-detail scores (rigidity and pattern aspects) increased susceptibility to face pareidolia. A mediation model revealed that imagination mediates the relationship between autistic traits and face perception, suggesting diverse mechanisms in autism's impact on face-related processes.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
