Abstract
The ability to deceive is a key milestone in social cognitive development for typically developing individuals. In this scoping review, we systematically searched the literature to summarise research on deceptive behaviour in autism and identify gaps in knowledge. Across the 28 studies identified, three main themes were synthesised, with seven subthemes: (1) Deception ability and prevalence (1a) gameplay deception; (1b) naturalistic deception; (2) Psychological correlates of deception (2a) verbal, intellectual and social ability; (2b) theory of mind (ToM) behaviours; (2c) executive function; and (3) Social learning (3a) training; (3b) social contexts. The findings challenge common stereotypes, showing that autistic individuals can and do engage in deception. However, many do so less frequently and less adeptly than typically developing individuals. Emerging evidence also suggests that autistic individuals (without co-occurring intellectual disability) may use compensatory strategies when engaging in deception, and that more skilled deceptive behaviour may arise later in life. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.Lay abstractThe ability to deceive others is an important skill that usually develops in early childhood. In this review, we give an overview of studies that have examined deceptive behaviour in autistic children, adolescents and adults. We separated the study findings into three main categories and seven sub-categories: (1) Deception ability and prevalence (1a) gameplay deception; (1b) naturalistic deception; (2) Psychological processes in deception (2a) verbal, intellectual and social ability; (2b) ability to understand others’ thoughts and beliefs; (2c) cognitive ability; and (3) Social learning (3a) training; (3b) social contexts. Contrary to some stereotypes, we found that autistic people can and do deceive but often find this more difficult than non-autistic people. We also found that autistic people may use different psychological processes than non-autistic people when deceiving and may get better at deception in adulthood.
Highlights
Lay abstract The ability to deceive others is an important skill that usually develops in early childhood
Due to the vast number of studies that have included a measure of deception understanding, this focus was subsequently narrowed to studies which report on autistic individuals’ deceptive behaviour
Two studies in the current review reported that autistic children can be taught to engage in gameplay and pro-social verbal deception, it is unclear whether this represented improved ability and understanding as opposed to displaying learned behaviours associated with deception
Summary
Lay abstract The ability to deceive others is an important skill that usually develops in early childhood. Understanding the ability of autistic individuals to engage in deception, and which social cognitive factors underpin this, can provide insight into a broad range of social behaviour. ToM is positively associated with understanding, producing and maintaining deception in typically developing (TD) young people between the ages of 2 and 19 years (Sai et al, 2021; Sarah Lee & Imuta, 2021). A diminished ability to recognise and understand others’ mental states (e.g. emotions and beliefs) may increase the difficulty of deceptive behaviour for autistic people. Executive function, referring to a range of psychological processes involved in goal-orientated cognition (Zelazo & Müller, 2011), positively (though modestly) relates to understanding, producing and maintaining deception (Sai et al, 2021). Difficulty with selecting, retrieving and maintaining lie-relevant information may further increase the cognitive demand of deception for autistic people
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