The effect of perceptual expectation on processing gain, attention and the perceptual decision bias in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Abstract

Perceptual expectations influence perception, attention and the perceptual decision bias during visuospatial orienting, which is impaired in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In this study, we investigated whether during visuospatial orienting, perceptual expectations in ASD differentially influence perception, attention and the perceptual decision bias relative to neurotypical controls (NT). Twenty-three children and adolescents with ASD and 23 NT completed a visuospatial orienting task, which compared the effect of a valid relative to an invalid perceptual expectation on target detection (cue validity effect). Group differences were calculated regarding the cue validity effect on neural correlates of processing gain (N1a amplitude) and attention (N1pc amplitude), the perceptual decision bias and mean reaction time (RT). In ASD relative to NT, findings showed a reduced processing gain for validly relative to invalidly cued targets and increased attentional response following invalidly relative to validly cued targets. Increased attention correlated with faster performance across groups. Increased processing correlated with a higher perceptual decision bias and faster mean RT in NT, but not in ASD. Results suggest that during visuospatial orienting, perceptual expectations in ASD may drive changes in sensory processing and stimulus-driven attention, which may differentially guide behavioural responses.

The absence of one’s intimate partner promotes dyadic competition through enhanced interbrain synchronization between opponents

“…When both participants focused on the competitive task, when the target appears, both participants immediately pressed the button in response. Compared to distracted participants who are not focused on the job, participants with higher focus had more similar reaction times and higher levels of interbrain synchronization ( Boxhoorn et al, 2022 ; Bowen et al, 2023 ). This also indicates that when lovers are not present and participants compete with individuals of the same gender, the synchronization between their brains is stronger, resulting in a higher level of focus on the competitive task and a greater willingness to compete.…”

Absence of a Lover Promote Dyadic Competition through the Strengthened Interpersonal Neural Synchronization in the Intimate Relationship

“…When both individuals are focused on competing tasks, when the target appears, the individual will immediately press the button to react. Compared to distract individuals who are not focused on the job, individuals with high concentration have closer reaction times and higher levels of brain synchronization (Boxhoorn et al, 2022;Bowen et al, 2023).…”