Empathizing and systemizing in males, females and autism: a test of the neural competition theory

Goldenfeld, Nigel; Baron‐Cohen, Simon; Wheelwright, Sally; Ashwin, Chris; Chakrabarti, Bhismadev

doi:10.1017/cbo9780511543753.019

Cited by 65 publications

(143 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Note, however, that ASC individuals in these studies were predominantly male, a caveat typical of this work given the higher incidence rate of these disorders in males. Taken together the results of these studies further support the EMB theory (Baron-Cohen, 2009;Wakabayashi et al, 2007;Goldenfeld et al, 2005) in that a large proportion of autistic individuals fall within the range of Extreme Type S to Type S cognitive profiles, indicative of even higher systemizing ability than the typical male profile.…”

Section: Type Of Cognitive Profile Attributesupporting

confidence: 73%

“…Extreme Type E (E >> S) Individuals whose empathy is above average, but who are challenged when it comes to systemizing Extreme Type S (S >>E) Individuals whose systemizing is above average, but who are challenged when it comes to empathy Goldenfeld et al, 2005). Note, however, that ASC individuals in these studies were predominantly male, a caveat typical of this work given the higher incidence rate of these disorders in males.…”

Section: Type Of Cognitive Profile Attributementioning

confidence: 82%

“…Table 2 shows the cognitive profile of individuals with each brain type. A higher proportion of males tend to have a Type S brain as compared to other types and thus Type S brains can be considered a "male brain" whereas a higher proportion of females have Type E, which signifies a "female brain" (BaronCohen, 2009;Baron-Cohen et al, 2003;Goldenfeld, Baron -Cohen, & Wheelwright, 2005).…”

Section: The Empathizing-systemizing Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Extreme Male Brain Theory of Autism

Liu¹,

Konkle²

2011

RISS-IJHS

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Les troubles du spectre autistique (TSA) sont une catégorie de troubles de la neurologie du développement présentant des symptômes de dégradation sociale et des communications, ainsi que des comportements restrictifs et répétitifs. Ils sont davantage présents chez les hommes que chez les femmes, et cette diffé-rence entre les sexes a beaucoup influencé les hypothèses au sujet de leur étiolo-gie. La théorie du cerveau mâle extrême (CME) est un modèle cognitif proposé par Simon Baron-Cohen pour expliquer les différences entre les sexes et les causes potentielles des TSA susmentionnés. Elle repose sur sa théorie d'empathisation-systématisation, qui consiste à classer les sujets dans cinq profils cognitifs (Type S, Type E, Type B, Type S extrême et Type E extrême). Ces profils cognitifs déterminent la capacité du sujet de systématiser et d'être en empathie avec. La systématisation est la capacité de comprendre un système et d'en dé-duire les règles. Elle exige des capacités de déduction et d'analyse. L'empathie a trait à la compréhension des émotions et des comportements humains, ce qui exige des capacités sociales et de communication. Les hommes ont tendance à mieux systématiser, tandis que les femmes présentent le profil opposé. Selon la théorie du CME, les autistes auraient un profil de Type S extrême, car on peut expliquer leurs troubles de communication sociale par leur déficit d'empathie, alors qu'on peut relier à leur fort niveau de systématisation leur préoccupation au sujet des patrons et leur comportement axé sur les détails. Ensemble, ces modèles cognitifs ont conduit à la théorie de la testostérone foetale (Tf), qui stipule qu'un niveau élevé de testostérone prénatale est un facteur de risque pour le profil cognitif hypermasculinisé des sujets atteints de TSA. Dans cet article, les auteurs évaluent la validité des théories du CME et de la Tf, en étudiant la documentation portant sur la Tf avec des caractéristiques autistes dans l'ensemble de la population. Ces sept études ont confirmé une corrélation entre des niveaux élevés de Tf et une augmentation des caractéristiques autistes, mais il faut envisager d'y mettre des limites au moment de généraliser ces informations à un échantillon de sujets atteints de TSA. Mots-clés :Troubles du spectre autistique, théorie du cerveau mâle extrême, théorie d'empathisationsystématisation, théorie de la testostérone foetale 33 Abstract:Autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) are a category of neurodevelopmental disorders with symptoms of communication and social impairment, and the exhibition of restrictive and repetitive behaviours. Their occurrence is greater in males than females and this sex difference has played an important part in hypothesizing their etiology. The Extreme Male Brain (EMB) theory is a cognitive model proposed by Simon Baron-Cohen to explain the aforementioned sex differences and potential cause of ASCs. It is based upon his Empathizing -Systemizing theory, which classifies individuals into one of five cognitive profiles (Type S, Type E, Type B, Extreme ...

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Section: Type Of Cognitive Profile Attributesupporting

confidence: 73%

Section: Type Of Cognitive Profile Attributementioning

confidence: 82%

Section: The Empathizing-systemizing Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Extreme Male Brain Theory of Autism

Liu¹,

Konkle²

2011

RISS-IJHS

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“…Both males and females considered as subpopulations exhibit the full range of biases for or against systemizing; however, males as a group show a greater orientation toward systemizing than females as a group (Baron-Cohen et al, 2003;Goldenfeld et al, 2006;Nettle, 2007). Differences in testosterone exposure in utero have been advanced as a possible explanation of this difference (Baron-Cohen et al, 2004).…”

Section: Systemizing and Hyper-systemizing In The Human Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

From “Oh, OK” to “Ah, yes” to “Aha!”: Hyper-systemizing and the rewards of insight

Fields¹

2011

Personality and Individual Differences

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Hyper-systemizers are individuals displaying an unusually strong bias toward systemizing, i.e. toward explaining events and solving problems by appeal to mechanisms that do not involve intentions or agency. Hyper-systemizing in combination with deficit mentalizing capability typically presents clinically as an autism spectrum disorder; however, the development of hyper-systemizing in combination with normal-range mentalizing capability is not well characterized. Based on a review and synthesis of clinical, observational, experimental, and neurofunctional studies, it is hypothesized that repeated episodes of insightful problem solving by systemizing result in attentional and motivational sensitization toward further systemizing via progressive and chronic deactivation of the default network. This hypothesis is distinguished from alternatives, and its correlational and causal implications are discussed. Predictions of the default-deactivation model accessible to survey-based instruments, standard cognitive measures and neurofunctional methods are outlined, and evidence pertaining to them considered.

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“…Their well-being measures in CSHA-2 provided an opportunity to study broad, descriptive patterns of well-being in Canadian seniors. Goldenfeld et al (2005) analyzed some data from empathy quotient and systemizing quotient to examine whether these two items compete in brain or not and reported that they indeed react on each other. According to Krill et al (2008), social exclusion, or ostracism, yields in a decrease in four fundamental human needs including belonging, control, self-esteem, and meaningful existence.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship between psychological well-being and empathy quotient

Amirhesam¹,

Baharloo²,

Soliemani³

2014

10.5267/j.msl

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This paper investigates the relationship between psychological well-being and empathy quotient among 200 married students, 100 female and 100 make, in city of Najafabad, Iran. The study uses a questionnaire with 84 questions for measuring psychological well-being, which consists of six parts including Autonomy, Environmental mastery, Personal growth, Positive relation with others, Purpose in life and Self-acceptance, each with 14 questions. Cronbach alphas for these six items were calculated as 0.83, 0.86, 0.85, 0.88, 0.88 and 0.91, respectively. In order to measure empathy quotient (EQ), the study uses EQ-short form, which consists of 22 questions. Cronbach alpha has been calculated as 0.93, which is well above the minimum acceptable level of 0.70. Using stepwise regression technique, the study determines a positive and meaningful relationship between EQ and psychological well-being.

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Empathizing and systemizing in males, females and autism: a test of the neural competition theory

Cited by 65 publications

References 22 publications

Extreme Male Brain Theory of Autism

Extreme Male Brain Theory of Autism

From “Oh, OK” to “Ah, yes” to “Aha!”: Hyper-systemizing and the rewards of insight

The relationship between psychological well-being and empathy quotient

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