Social and attention‐to‐detail subclusters of autistic traits differentially predict looking at eyes and face identity recognition ability

Abstract

This study distinguished between different subclusters of autistic traits in the general population and examined the relationships between these subclusters, looking at the eyes of faces, and the ability to recognize facial identity. Using the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) measure in a university-recruited sample, we separate the social aspects of autistic traits (i.e., those related to communication and social interaction; AQ-Social) from the non-social aspects, particularly attention-to-detail (AQ-Attention). We provide the first evidence that these social and non-social aspects are associated differentially with looking at eyes: While AQ-Social showed the commonly assumed tendency towards reduced looking at eyes, AQ-Attention was associated with increased looking at eyes. We also report that higher attentionto-detail (AQ-Attention) was then indirectly related to improved face recognition, mediated by increased number of fixations to the eyes during face learning. Higher levels of socially relevant autistic traits (AQ-Social) trended in the opposite direction towards being related to poorer face recognition (significantly so in females on the Cambridge Face Memory Test). There was no evidence of any mediated relationship between AQ-Social and face recognition via reduced looking at the eyes. These different effects of AQ-Attention and AQ-Social suggest face-processing studies in Autism Spectrum Disorder might similarly benefit from considering symptom subclusters. Additionally, concerning mechanisms of face recognition, our results support the view that more looking at eyes predicts better face memory.

Empathy and face processing in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder

“…Attention to Detail subscores were negatively correlated with socializing and mentalizing factor scores, but individuals clustered into two distinct subgroups: one characterized by strong attention to detail and relatively good social functioning, and the other showing social impairment and weak detail orientation. Complementary findings have been reported by Davis et al [] and Sasson et al []. The latter group found that those exhibiting social autistic traits performed worse on social cognitive tests, including those assessing face and emotion recognition.…”

“…Complementary findings have been reported in studies involving nonclinical samples. Subclinical autistic traits are continuously distributed in the general population [e.g., Hurley, Parlier, & Piven, ], and fall into two clusters: nonsocial traits (rigidity and attention‐to‐detail) and social traits (aloofness and pragmatic language problems) [Davis et al, ; Palmer, Paton, Enticott, & Hohwy, ; Sasson, Nowlan, & Pinkham, 2013]. Davis et al [] reported that individuals exhibiting social autistic traits tend to experience problems with face recognition, whereas those exhibiting nonsocial autistic traits do not.…”

“…Subclinical autistic traits are continuously distributed in the general population [e.g., Hurley, Parlier, & Piven, ], and fall into two clusters: nonsocial traits (rigidity and attention‐to‐detail) and social traits (aloofness and pragmatic language problems) [Davis et al, ; Palmer, Paton, Enticott, & Hohwy, ; Sasson, Nowlan, & Pinkham, 2013]. Davis et al [] reported that individuals exhibiting social autistic traits tend to experience problems with face recognition, whereas those exhibiting nonsocial autistic traits do not. In other research, Sasson et al [] reported that the link between social autistic traits and social skill deficits in typical adults was partially accounted for by problems with social cognition, including difficulties with face and emotion recognition, and ToM.…”

Visual Attention to Ambiguous Emotional Faces in Eating Disorders: Role of Alexithymia

“…Interestingly, a recent eye‐tracking study showed opposing relationships between types of autistic traits and attention to (non‐emotional) faces and their eye regions (Davis et al . , ). Negative relationships were observed to social autistic traits, while positive relationships emerged to non‐social, over‐attention aspects of autism.…”

Eye contact boosts the reflexive component of overt gaze following

“…At the end of the oculomotor task, the participants were administered the Autism-spectrum Quotient (AQ 41 ). Indeed, since there is a documented link between eye gaze processing and autistic-like traits [42][43][44][45] , we explored whether this link also embraced overt gaze following behaviour.…”