Baron-Cohen Study Guide - AICE Psych Midterm 2022

Eyes Test study. Autism study.

Hypotheses

* P’s with autism will score lower on Eyes test than the control groups
* P’s with autism will score higher on the AQ test than control groups.
* Females in the “normal” groups (2 & 3) will score higher on the Eyes test than males in those groups.
* Males in the “normal” group (group 3) will score higher on the AQ test than females.
* AQ and Eyes Test scores will be negatively correlated.
* As one goes up, the other goes down.

Problems with the Original Eyes Test

* Forced-Choice Question
* Only two options that were opposites of each other
* Small number of questions
* The test showed basic and complex emotions.
* Basic emotions were too easy, this caused a ceiling effect.
* Some emotions could be guessed based on the direction the person’s eyes were looking
* There was an imbalance of male and female faces.
* P’s might not have known definitions of the word choices.

Research Method and Design

* Lab experiment
* Quasi experiment
* Independent measures
* Matched-pairs (Group 1 and Group 4 were IQ matched)

4 Groups of the Study

* Group 1: AS/HFA (Autism) Group
* 15 adult males
* Mean age = 29.7
* Average IQ = 115
* Volunteer Sample
* Group 2: Adult Comparison - “Normal” Group
* 122 adults
* Mean age = 46.5
* Opportunity Sample

4 Groups of the Study (cont’d.)

* Group 3: Student Comparison - “Normal” Group
* 103 Cambridge University Students
* Mean age = 20.8
* Opportunity Sample
* Group 4: IQ Matched - “Normal” Group
* 14 adult males
* Mean age = 28
* Average IQ = 116
* Random sample

Strengths and Weaknesses

STRENGTHS:

* Lab experiment
* Standardization increases internal validity and replicability

WEAKNESSES:

* Quasi experiment didn’t allow for random allocation
* Introduces the possibility of confounding variables (there could be another factor causing the differences in test scores)
* Low ecological validity and mundane realism
* The tests used along with the study itself is unnatural and not likely to occur in our regular lives.
* Sample of AS/HFA group
* Too small, only one gender, and only individuals with Aspergers or High Functioning Autism (not all people with autism have one of those diagnoses. Many do not)
* Limited generalizability.

Characteristics of Autism

* Lack of Theory of Mind
* Difficulties with social interaction and verbal & nonverbal communication.
* Lack of imaginative play

Quantitative Data

* Group 1: 21.9 on Eyes Test, 34.4 on AQ
* Group 2: 26.2 on Eyes Test
* Group 3: 28.0 on Eyes Test, 18.3 on AQ
* Group 4: 30.9 on Eyes Test, 18.9 on AQ