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Updated: Feb 12, 2026
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A Semantic Priming Event-related Potential ERP Task to Study Lexico-semantic and Visuo-semantic Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 12, 2018
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Empathy and face processing in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder
Sarah N Rigby1, Brenda M Stoesz1,2, Lorna S Jakobson1
1Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Summary
Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show slower and less accurate processing of dynamic and static faces compared to controls. These face processing difficulties correlate with increased autism traits and decreased empathy.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
Background:
- Social difficulties are common in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Understanding face processing in ASD is crucial for addressing social challenges.
- Previous research suggests atypicalities in static face processing; this study investigates dynamic faces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if atypicalities in processing static faces persist with dynamic facial motion cues in adults with ASD.
- To explore relationships between face processing abilities, autism symptom severity, and empathy.
- To investigate potential links between face perception, social skills, and empathy in ASD.
Main Methods:
- 16 adults with ASD and 16 age/sex-matched controls participated.
- Participants completed tasks involving static and dynamic face identity and expression judgments.
- Verbal IQ was assessed; correlations between face processing, autism traits, and empathy were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Adults with ASD were slower and less accurate in matching identity and judging expressions of static and dynamic faces.
- ASD group showed particular difficulty with dynamic expressive faces, responding more slowly.
- Increased social autistic traits and decreased empathy correlated with longer processing times for static and dynamic faces.
Conclusions:
- Adults with ASD exhibit general impairments in both static and dynamic face processing.
- Individual differences in autism traits and empathy are associated with face perception abilities.
- Findings support the importance of examining individual variations for understanding face perception in ASD and developing support strategies.
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