Impaired detection and differentiation of briefly presented facial emotions in adults with high-functioning autism and asperger syndrome. (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frank, R.; Schulze, L.; Hellweg, R.; Koehne, S.; Roepke, S.
• Is Part Of: Behaviour research and therapy. Volume 104(2018)
• Page Start: 7
• Page End: 13
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: Autism spectrum disorder -- Emotion recognition -- Emotion differentiation -- Emotion detection; Cognitive therapy -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; 616.891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2018.02.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0005-7967

Abstract

Abstract: Although deficits in the recognition of emotional facial expressions are considered a hallmark of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), characterization of abnormalities in the differentiation of emotional expressions (e.g., sad vs. angry) has been rather inconsistent, especially in adults without intellectual impairments who may compensate for their deficits. In addition, previous research neglected the ability to detect emotional expressions (e.g., angry vs. neutral). The present study used a backward masking paradigm to investigate, a) the detection of emotional expressions, and b) the differentiation of emotional expressions in adults diagnosed with high functioning autism or Asperger syndrome (n = 23) compared to neurotypical controls (n = 25). Compensatory strategies were prevented by shortening the stimulus presentation time (33, 67, and 100 ms). In general, participants with ASD were significantly less accurate in detecting and differentiating emotional expressions compared to the control group. In the emotion differentiation task, individuals with ASD profited significantly less from an increase in presentation time. These results reinforce theoretical models that individuals with ASD have deficits in emotion recognition under time constraints. Furthermore, first evidence was provided that emotion detection and emotion differentiation are impaired in ASD. Highlights: Detection and differentiation of briefly presented emotions are analyzed in ASD and HC. Individuals with ASD are less accurate in detecting and differentiating facial emotions. In emotion differentiation, ASD profit less from an increase in presentation time than HC. Deficits in facial emotion processing in ASD become apparent with constrained presentation time.