Abstract
BackgroundImitation of facial expressions plays an important role in social functioning. However, little is known about the quality of facial imitation in individuals with autism and its relationship with defining difficulties in emotion recognition.MethodsWe investigated imitation and recognition of facial expressions in 37 individuals with autism spectrum conditions and 43 neurotypical controls. Using a novel computer-based face analysis, we measured instructed imitation of facial emotional expressions and related it to emotion recognition abilities.ResultsIndividuals with autism imitated facial expressions if instructed to do so, but their imitation was both slower and less precise than that of neurotypical individuals. In both groups, a more precise imitation scaled positively with participants’ accuracy of emotion recognition.LimitationsGiven the study’s focus on adults with autism without intellectual impairment, it is unclear whether the results generalize to children with autism or individuals with intellectual disability. Further, the new automated facial analysis, despite being less intrusive than electromyography, might be less sensitive.ConclusionsGroup differences in emotion recognition, imitation and their interrelationships highlight potential for treatment of social interaction problems in individuals with autism.
Highlights
Facial expressions are an essential tool to communicate emotions non-verbally in social interactions [1]
Group comparison of individuals with and without autism spectrum conditions (ASC) Similarity of Imitation In accordance, we found no evidence that individuals with autism showed less similar expressions, averaged over all pictures, than neurotypical individuals, neither regarding the mean similarity [MASC = 0.38, MNT = 0.38, t(70) = 0.14, p = 0.890, d = 0.033] nor the maximum expressed similarity (MdnASC = 0.71, MdnNT = 0.69, Z = 585, p = 0.256)
Intensity of imitation Further, we found no evidence that individuals with autism showed less intensity of maximal similarity (MASC = 0.85, MNT = 0.77, t(70) = 1.45, p = 0.153, Fig. 5 a Comparison of intensity of most similar expression in the imitation condition separated by emotions. b Comparison of intensity of most similar expression in the imitation condition for neurotypical individuals and individuals with autism separated by emotions d = 0.347)
Summary
Facial expressions are an essential tool to communicate emotions non-verbally in social interactions [1]. Being able to understand as well as to generate these expressions is crucial to the exchange of inner states with others [2]. In the context of this question, especially the ability to generate facial expressions that match the facial expression of the interaction partner might play a crucial role. Neurotypical (NT) individuals (i.e. individuals without autism) tend to mimic facial expressions in social interactions automatically [4]. There is evidence that such spontaneous facial imitation, often referred to as mimicry, might help people to recognize emotions Imitation of facial expressions plays an important role in social functioning. Little is known about the quality of facial imitation in individuals with autism and its relationship with defining difficulties in emotion recognition
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