Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine how a group of adults with autism perceived one another's interpersonal attributes and popularity. Five female and 11 male high-functioning autistic adults, 18–45 years old, participated in a social skills group together for several years. A sociogram and a questionnaire designed to determine perceptions of best looking, most athletic, and most humorous group members were administered to group members and nonhandicapped group leaders. Independent assessments of intelligence and empathy also were taken. Results indicated that perceived attractiveness and sense of humor were correlated with popularity, but group members' assessments of these attributes differed from those of the nonhandicapped group leaders. Differences between group members and group leaders responses and the implications of the results of the study for social skills training with high-functioning autistic adolescents and adults are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Affleck, G. C. (1975). Role-taking ability and the interpersonal competencies of retarded children.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 80, 312–316.
Bigelow. (1977). Children's friendship expectations: A cognitive-developmental study.Child Development, 48, 246–253.
Borke, H. (1971). Interpersonal perception of young children: Egocentrism or empathy?Developmental Psychology, 5, 263–269.
Dawson, G., & Fernald, M. (1987). Perspective-taking ability and its relationship to the social behavior of autistic children.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 17, 487–498.
Hingtgen, J. N., & Trost, F. C. (1966). Shaping cooperative responses in early childhood schizophrenics: Reinforcement of mutual physical contact and vocal responses. In R. Ulrich, T. Stachnik, & J. Mabry (Eds.),Control of Human Behavior. Glenview, IL: Scott, Foresman.
Hobson, R. P. (1984). Early childhood autism and the question of egocentrism.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 14, 85–104.
Hutt, C., & Dansted, C. (1966). The biological significance of gaze aversion with particular reference to the syndrome of infantile autism.Behavioral Science, 2, 346–356.
Kanner, L. (1943). Autistic disturbances of affective contact.Nervous Child, 2, 217–250.
Koegel, R. L., Firestone, P. B., Kramme, K. W., & Dunlap, G. (1974). Increasing spontaneous play by suppressing self-stimulation in autistic children.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 7, 521–528.
Lord, C., & Magill, J. (1989). Methodological and theoretical issues in studying peer-directed behavior and autism. In G. Dawson (Ed.),Autism: Nature, diagnosis, and treatment (pp. 326–345). New York: Guilford.
Lovaas, O. I., Koegel, R., Simmons, J. Q., & Long, J. S. (1973). Some generalization and follow-up measures on autistic children in behavior therapy.Jouranl of Applied Behavior Analysis, 6, 131–166.
Malone, M. B., & Lettick, A. L. (1983). Sex education at Benhaven. In E. Schopler & G. B. Mesibov (Eds.),Autism in adolescents and adults (pp. 169–186). New York: Plenum Press.
Mesibov, G. B. (1983). Current perspectives and issues in autism and adolescence. In E. Schopler & G. B. Mesibov (Eds.),Autism in adolescents and adults (pp. 37–53). New York: Plenum Press.
Mesibov, G. B. (1984). Social skills training with verbal autistic adolescents and adults: A program model.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 14, 395–404.
Mesibov, G. B. (1986). A cognitive program for teaching social behaviors to verbal autistic adolescents and adults. In E. Schopler & G. B. Mesibov (Eds.),Social behavior in autism. New York: Plenum Press.
Mesibov, G. B., & Schaffer, B. (1986). Autism in adolescents and adults. In M. L. Wolraich & D. K. Routh (Eds.),Advances in developmental and behavioral pediatrics (Vol. 7, pp. 313–343). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.
Mesibov, G. B., Schopler, E., Schaffer, B., & Michal, N. (in press). The use of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) with autistic adolescents and adults.Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Rutter, M. (1970). Autistic children: Infancy to adulthood.Seminars in Psychiatry, 2, 435–450.
Rutter, M. (1983). Cognitive deficits in the pathogenesis of autism.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 24, 513–531.
Rutter, M., & Schopler, E. (Eds.). (1978).Autism: A reappraisal of concepts and treatment. New York: Plenum Press.
Schopler, E., & Mesibov, G. B. (Eds.). (1983).Autism in adolescents and adults. New York: Plenum Press.
Schopler, E., & Mesibov, G. B. (Eds.). (1986).Social behavior in autism. New York: Plenum Press.
Schopler, E., Reichler, R. J., & Renner, B. R. (1988).The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services.
Strain, P. S., & Cooke, T. P. (1976). An observational investigation of two elementary-age autistic children during free play.Psychology in the Schools, 13, 82–91.
Van Bourgondien, M. E., & Mesibov, G. B. (1987). Humor in high-functioning autistic adults.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 17, 417–424.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mesibov, G.B., Stephens, J. Perceptions of popularity among a group of high-functioning adults with autism. J Autism Dev Disord 20, 33–43 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02206855
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02206855