Proneness to Self-Conscious Emotions in Adults With and Without Autism Traits

Abstract

Self-conscious emotions, such as shame, guilt and pride, facilitate our social interactions by motivating us to adhere to social norms and external standards. In this study, we examined proneness to shame, guilt, hubristic pride and authentic pride in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder traits (ASD-T) and in neurotypical (NT) adults. Relations between proneness to self-conscious emotions and theory of mind (ToM), fear of negative evaluation, and social functioning were also assessed. Adults with ASD-T showed greater proneness to shame, and less proneness to guilt and pride than NT adults. Both ToM and fear of negative evaluation predicted proneness to self-conscious emotions in ASD-T. These findings are discussed in terms of understanding complex emotion processing in adults with ASD-T.

Proneness to guilt, shame, and pride in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and neurotypical children

“…Williams and Happé [] also found that self‐conscious emotions (e.g., pride, guilt) were more difficult for children with ASD to accurately define and report examples of than basic emotions (e.g., happiness, scared). Finally, and perhaps more closely connected to the goals of the present study, recent research has shown that adults with ASD traits (ASD‐T) exhibit more proneness to shame and externalization, and less proneness to guilt, hubristic pride and authentic pride than neurotypical adults [Davidson, Vanegas, & Hilvert, ]. It is not known whether a similar pattern would be found in children.…”

“…Related to the present study, Heerey, Keltner, and Capps [] found that ToM was positively related to the ability to recognize self‐conscious emotions in both children with and without ASD. In a similar vein, research has shown that ToM skills were positively related to proneness to guilt, shame and pride in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder Traits [ASD‐T; Davidson et al, ]. In contrast, ToM skills were found to be negatively related to proneness to shame in neurotypical adults, but positively related in adults with ASD‐T [Davidson et al, ].…”

“…In a similar vein, research has shown that ToM skills were positively related to proneness to guilt, shame and pride in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder Traits [ASD‐T; Davidson et al, ]. In contrast, ToM skills were found to be negatively related to proneness to shame in neurotypical adults, but positively related in adults with ASD‐T [Davidson et al, ]. According to Davidson et al [], ToM skills may be needed to experience self‐conscious emotions, skills that are often impaired in individuals with ASD [e.g., Senju, ].…”

“…In contrast, ToM skills were found to be negatively related to proneness to shame in neurotypical adults, but positively related in adults with ASD‐T [Davidson et al, ]. According to Davidson et al [], ToM skills may be needed to experience self‐conscious emotions, skills that are often impaired in individuals with ASD [e.g., Senju, ]. Thus, individuals with ASD may experience proneness to self‐conscious emotions in a manner similar to those without ASD, provided they possess sufficient ToM skills to do so.…”

“…Specific hypotheses were as follows: It is predicted that children with ASD will differ from neurotypical children in terms of proneness to guilt, shame, hubristic and authentic pride. Based on results with neurotypical adults and adults with ASD‐T [Davidson et al, ], it is expected that a positive relation will be found between ToM ability and higher levels of guilt, shame and pride, particularly in children with ASD. ASD symptomatology is expected to be negatively related to proneness to self‐conscious emotions. …”