Direct Support for Configural Face Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Use of a Gaze-Contingent Stimulus Presentation

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Direct Support for Configural Face Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Use of a Gaze-Contingent Stimulus Presentation Kris Evers1, 2, 3*, Goedele Van Belle1, 4, Jean Steyaert2, 3, 5, Ilse Noens3, 6, 7 and Johan Wagemans1, 3 1 University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, Belgium 2 UPC - KU Leuven, Child Psychiatry (Department of Neurosciences), Belgium 3 University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), Belgium 4 University of Louvain La Neuve (UCL), Institute of research in Psychology (IPSY); Institute of Neuroscience (IoNS), Belgium 5 University Hospital Maastricht, Clinical Genetics, Belgium 6 University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, Belgium 7 Massachusetts General Hospital, Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, United States Abnormal face processing styles are widely documented in children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, evidence is rather mixed and controversial. It is sometimes argued that individuals use a more locally oriented face processing strategy, however evidence is rather indirect. Besides, some researchers found that children with ASD allocate attention to atypical regions in the face (e.g., less fixations at eyes; more fixations at mouth). Here also, evidence is inconsistent. Using gaze-contingent stimulus presentation, we wanted to provide more direct support for face processing strategies, and face fixation patterns in children with ASD. Two groups of 10-to-14-year old boys without intellectual disabilities (IQ >= 70) were tested: a group of children with ASD, and an age-and-IQ-matched group of typically developing children. A same-different task was used with two static neutral faces. Whereas the target face was always presented in full view, the amount of information available in the match face was manipulated, hereby manipulating part-based (local) and holistic viewing strategy. In the window view, a gaze-contingent foveal window restricted the participants’ view to the information of the fixated feature, allowing part-based processing of the face, but hampering configural face processing. In the mask view, a gaze-contingent foveal mask covered the high-resolution information at the fixated location, hampering detailed processing of the fixated features, while still allowing configural face processing. Behavioral data did not show a qualitative difference in face processing style in the ASD group. Besides, preliminary eye-movement data did not provide evidence for an atypical viewing pattern in the ASD group. Like the typically developing children, the children with ASD tend to fixate the eyes region. Acknowledgements We are grateful to all participating children and their parents. Special thanks to the participating schools. We thank the following master students: Ellen Janssen, Stephanie Deckmyn, Nele Berghmans, Sanne Drees, Tine Herreman, Loes Steegmans, Leen Vercammen, Lotte van Esch, and Alysée van Laeken. This research was funded by the Methusalem program by the Flemish Government (METH 08/02) awarded to JW and a grant from the Research Council of the KU Leuven (IDO/080/013) awarded to JS, JW and IN. Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorders, face processing, configural, fixation patterns, gaze-contingent presentation, Eye-movements Conference: Belgian Brain Council, Liège, Belgium, 27 Oct - 27 Oct, 2012. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Higher Brain Functions in health and disease: cognition and memory Citation: Evers K, Van Belle G, Steyaert J, Noens I and Wagemans J (2012). Direct Support for Configural Face Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Use of a Gaze-Contingent Stimulus Presentation. Conference Abstract: Belgian Brain Council. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2012.210.00083 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 30 Aug 2012; Published Online: 12 Sep 2012. * Correspondence: Miss. Kris Evers, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, Leuven, 3000, Belgium, kris.evers@ppw.kuleuven.be Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Kris Evers Goedele Van Belle Jean Steyaert Ilse Noens Johan Wagemans Google Kris Evers Goedele Van Belle Jean Steyaert Ilse Noens Johan Wagemans Google Scholar Kris Evers Goedele Van Belle Jean Steyaert Ilse Noens Johan Wagemans PubMed Kris Evers Goedele Van Belle Jean Steyaert Ilse Noens Johan Wagemans Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.