Eyetracking of social preference choices reveals normal but faster processing in autism

Gharib, Alma; Mier, Daniela; Adolphs, Ralph; Shimojo, Shinsuke

doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2015.04.027

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…It is noteworthy that our data appear inconsistent with an earlier eye‐tracking study that observed no differences between ASD and NT groups in terms of gaze cascade trajectories or social choice behaviors (Gharib, Mier, Adolphs, & Shimojo, 2015). In context, however, the differences between this study and our own may outweigh the similarities.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

To covet what we see: Autistic traits modulate the relationship between looking and choosing

Hedger

Chakrabarti

2020

Autism Research

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Behavioral studies indicate that autistic traits predict reduced gaze toward social stimuli. Moreover, experiments that require participants to make an explicit choice between stimuli indicate reduced preferences for social stimuli in individuals with high autistic traits. These observations, in combination, fit with the idea that gaze is actively involved in the formation of choices—gaze toward a stimulus increases the likelihood of its subsequent selection. Although these aspects of gaze and choice behavior have been well characterized separately, it remains unclear how autistic traits affect the relationship between gaze and socially relevant choices. In a choice‐based eye‐tracking paradigm, we observed that autistic traits predict less frequent and delayed selection of social stimuli. Critically, eye tracking revealed novel phenomena underlying these choice behaviors: first, the relationship between gaze and choice behavior was weaker in individuals with high autistic traits—an increase in gaze to a stimulus was associated with a smaller increase in choice probability. Second, time‐series analyses revealed that gaze became predictive of choice behaviors at longer latencies in observers with high autistic traits. This dissociation between gaze and choice in individuals with high autistic traits may reflect wider atypicalities in value coding. Such atypicalities may predict the development of atypical social behaviors associated with the autism phenotype. Lay Summary When presented with multiple stimuli to choose from, we tend to look more toward the stimuli we later choose. Here, we found that this relationship between looking and choosing was reduced in individuals with high autistic traits. These data indicate that autistic traits may be associated with atypical processing of value, which may contribute to the reduced preferences for social stimuli exhibited by individuals with autism.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

To covet what we see: Autistic traits modulate the relationship between looking and choosing

Hedger

Chakrabarti

2020

Autism Research

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“…This is reminiscent of a series of experiments conducted in patients with autism. During social scene observation, toddlers with autism are less focused on eyes in comparison with neurotypical toddlers ( Constantino et al, 2017 ), but they can be faster at identifying facial information compared with typically developed individuals ( Gharib et al, 2015 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shank2 Mutant Mice Display Hyperactivity Insensitive to Methylphenidate and Reduced Flexibility in Social Motivation, but Normal Social Recognition

Torquet

Chaumont

et al. 2018

Front. Mol. Neurosci.

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Mouse models of autism can be used to study evolutionarily conserved mechanisms underlying behavioral abnormalities in social communication and repetitive behaviors. SHANK genes code for synaptic scaffolding proteins at excitatory synapses and mutations in all SHANK genes have been associated with autism. Here, we present three behavioral aspects of the mutant mice deleted for exon 16 in Shank2. First, we treated Shank2 mutant mice with methylphenidate to rescue the hyperactivity. Our failure to do so suggests that the hyperactivity displayed by Shank2 mutant mice is not related to the one displayed by the typical mouse models of hyperactivity, and might be more closely related to manic-like behaviors. Second, by testing the effect of group housing and social isolation on social interest, we highlighted that Shank2 mutant mice lack the typical flexibility to modulate social interest, in comparison with wild-type littermates. Finally, we established a new protocol to test for social recognition in a social context. We used this protocol to show that Shank2 mutant mice were able to discriminate familiar and unknown conspecifics in free interactions. Altogether, these studies shed some light on specific aspects of the behavioral defects displayed by the Shank2 mouse model. Such information could be used to orient therapeutic strategies and to design more specific tests to characterize the complex behavior of mouse models of autism.

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“…A small amount of literature also addresses the needs of autistic research participants who are Deaf or deaf 102 . Instruments that rely on gaze or eye contact might prove particularly problematic for people with autism, thus requiring modification 103 . Instrument choice is a methodological decision but can also be considered an ethical choice, given that inappropriate instruments may mischaracterize people with autism 104 …”

Section: Research Design Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Person‐Oriented Research Ethics to Address the Needs of Participants on the Autism Spectrum

Cascio

Weiss

Racine

2020

Ethics & Human Research

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Research ethics scholarship often attends to vulnerability. People with autism may be vulnerable in research, but are also vulnerable to unjust exclusion from participation. Addressing the needs of participants with autism can facilitate inclusion and honor the bioethics principle of respect for persons while accounting for risk and vulnerability. Drawing from a review of the literature and informed by a moral deliberation process involving a task force of stakeholders (including autistic people and parents of autistic people), we use the model of person-oriented research ethics to identify several practical strategies researchers can use to address these needs and foster inclusion. Strategies include using multiple means of communication, addressing the sensory environment, preparing participants in advance, and accounting for social context. These practical strategies are not just methodological or design choices; they are inherently related to ethical issues. Method and design choices fulfill ethical aspirations by facilitating inclusion, reducing discomfort, and focusing on individuals. KEYWORDS human subjects research, vulnerable populations, inclusion in research, autism spectrum, research design, person-oriented research ethics

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Eyetracking of social preference choices reveals normal but faster processing in autism

Cited by 11 publications

References 50 publications

To covet what we see: Autistic traits modulate the relationship between looking and choosing

To covet what we see: Autistic traits modulate the relationship between looking and choosing

Shank2 Mutant Mice Display Hyperactivity Insensitive to Methylphenidate and Reduced Flexibility in Social Motivation, but Normal Social Recognition

Person‐Oriented Research Ethics to Address the Needs of Participants on the Autism Spectrum

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