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Going 'above and beyond': are those high in autistic traits less pro-social?
Leila Jameel1, Karishma Vyas, Giulia Bellesi
1Department of Cognitive, Perceptual and Brain Sciences, University College London (UCL), Bedford Way Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK, l.jameel@ucl.ac.uk.
Abstract:
Few studies have explored how the cognitive differences associated with autistic spectrum disorder translate into everyday social behaviour. This study investigated pro-social behaviour in students scoring high and low on the autism-spectrum quotient (AQ), using a novel scenario task: 'Above and Beyond'. Each scenario involved an opportunity to behave pro-socially, and thus required balancing the needs of a character against participants' own interests. High AQ participants both generated responses and selected courses of action that were less pro-social than those of the low AQ group. For actions of low pro-social value they gave higher self-satisfaction ratings; conversely, they gave lower self-satisfaction ratings for high pro-social actions. The implications for everyday functioning are considered for those with high autistic traits.
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