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Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2/2011

01-02-2011 | Original Paper

Autistic Symptomatology, Face Processing Abilities, and Eye Fixation Patterns

Auteurs: Jennifer C. Kirchner, Alexander Hatri, Hauke R. Heekeren, Isabel Dziobek

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders | Uitgave 2/2011

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Abstract

Deviant gaze behavior is a defining characteristic of autism. Its relevance as a pathophysiological mechanism, however, remains unknown. In the present study, we compared eye fixations of 20 adults with autism and 21 controls while they were engaged in taking the Multifaceted Empathy Test (MET). Additional measures of face emotion and identity recognition were also obtained. While both groups fixated more on the face and mouth in the emotion recognition than in the face identity condition of the MET, individuals with autism fixated less on the face across MET conditions. Correlation analysis revealed associations between fixation time on the eyes and face processing abilities. Our results suggest that eye fixation patterns are an important characteristic of the social phenotype of autism.
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Metagegevens
Titel
Autistic Symptomatology, Face Processing Abilities, and Eye Fixation Patterns
Auteurs
Jennifer C. Kirchner
Alexander Hatri
Hauke R. Heekeren
Isabel Dziobek
Publicatiedatum
01-02-2011
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders / Uitgave 2/2011
Print ISSN: 0162-3257
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-3432
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-010-1032-9

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