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Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Gepubliceerd in:

01-01-2010 | Original Paper

The Relationship Between Systemising and Mental Rotation and the Implications for the Extreme Male Brain Theory of Autism

Auteurs: Mark Brosnan, Rajiv Daggar, John Collomosse

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders | Uitgave 1/2010

Abstract

Within the Extreme Male Brain theory, Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterised as a deficit in empathising in conjunction with preserved or enhanced systemising. A male advantage in systemising is argued to underpin the traditional male advantage in mental rotation tasks. Mental rotation tasks can be separated into rotational and non-rotational components, and circulating testosterone has been found to consistently relate to the latter component. Systemising was found to correlate with mental rotation, specifically the non-rotational component(s) of the mental rotation task but not the rotational component of the task. Systemising also correlated with a proxy for circulating testosterone but not a proxy for prenatal testosterone. A sex difference was identified in systemising and the non-rotational aspect of the mental rotation task.

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Titel: The Relationship Between Systemising and Mental Rotation and the Implications for the Extreme Male Brain Theory of Autism
Auteurs: Mark Brosnan
Rajiv Daggar
John Collomosse
Publicatiedatum: 01-01-2010
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders / Uitgave 1/2010
Print ISSN: 0162-3257
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-3432
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-009-0815-3

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