Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by interpersonal deficits and has been associated with limited cognitive empathy, which includes perspective taking, theory of mind, and empathic accuracy (EA). The capacity for affective empathy may also be impaired. In the present study we aimed to determine if EA in normally developing individuals with varying levels of autism spectrum traits is moderated by trait affective empathy. Fifty male and fifty female participants (‘perceivers’) completed the Autism-Spectrum Quotient and the Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale to assess autism spectrum traits and trait affective empathy, respectively. EA was assessed using a Dutch-language version of a previously developed task and involved rating the feelings of others (‘targets’) verbally recounting autobiographical emotional events. Targets varied in trait emotional expressivity, assessed using the Berkeley Expressivity Questionnaire. Perceivers with more autism spectrum traits performed worse on the EA task, particularly when their trait affective empathy was relatively low. Interpersonal deficits in autism spectrum disorder may be partially explained by low cognitive empathy. Further, they might be aggravated by a limited capacity for affective empathy.
Highlights
The recently published DSM-5 includes diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by the presence of restricted, repetitive behaviors and persistent interpersonal deficits [1]
In the present study we aimed to extend previous results by Bartz et al [33]. They reported a negative association between empathic accuracy (EA) and autism spectrum traits in normally developing men
Expressivity of the targets did not moderate the observed association between EA and autism spectrum traits
Summary
The recently published DSM-5 includes diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by the presence of restricted, repetitive behaviors and persistent interpersonal deficits [1]. These symptoms and the underlying traits are thought to exist on a continuum. Baron-Cohen [2] has argued that autism spectrum traits may be costly in some contexts but beneficial in other contexts Individuals with these traits may have difficulties interacting with complex emotional beings (e.g., other humans) but exhibit great skill in analyzing abstract, technical, or organizable systems that are non-emotional (e.g. mathematics, machines, and mineral collections). One potential explanation for the repetitive behaviors and interpersonal deficits seen in ASD is that patients have extensive systemizing skills and at the same time relatively limited empathizing skills
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