The Weak Coherence Account: Detail-focused Cognitive Style in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

"Weak central coherence" refers to the detail-focused processing style proposed to characterise autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The original suggestion of a core deficit in central processing resulting in failure to extract global form/meaning, has been challenged in three ways. First, it may represent an outcome of superiority in local processing. Second, it may be a processing bias, rather than deficit. Third, weak coherence may occur alongside, rather than explain, deficits in social cognition. A review of over 50 empirical studies of coherence suggests robust findings of local bias in ASD, with mixed findings regarding weak global processing. Local bias appears not to be a mere side-effect of executive dysfunction, and may be independent of theory of mind deficits. Possible computational and neural models are discussed.

Fragile Spectral and Temporal Auditory Processing in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Early Language Delay

“…Given that individuals with ASD may be less sensitive to the broader context of the task (cf. reduced global processing; Happé and Frith 2006) or may apply a different processing strategy which relates more closely to absolute pitch processing (e.g., Heaton et al 2008a, b, c), we expected a reduced contextual modulation by this fixed versus variable reference tone manipulation in ASD. Finally, by administering a series of auditory measures that preferentially target right versus left auditory cortex processing, we aimed at interpreting the pattern of strengths and weaknesses in auditory processing abilities in ASD in terms of superior right versus inferior left hemisphere processing.…”

“…In line with Jones et al (2009), we therefore would assert that the superior sensory processing abilities in ASD may rather be determined by general cognitive factors such as memory and disembedding ability (cf. weak central coherence, Happé and Frith 2006). Further research is warranted to disambiguate the relative contribution of these general cognitive factors versus possibly enhanced bottom-up perceptual sensitivity in ASD.…”

Multisensory Integration of Low-level Information in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Measuring Susceptibility to the Flash-Beep Illusion

“…Various theories attempt to explain the perceptual and sensory processing differences that make up the specific cognitive architecture of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and make the link between sensory processing and the core features (i.e., socio-communicative impairments and repetitive/restricted patterns of behaviors and interests) of ASD (Frith and Happé 1994;Happé and Frith 2006;Brock et al 2002;Mottron and Burack 2001;Mottron et al 2006;Bertone et al 2010). One commonality to these cognitive theories is to hypothesize atypical sensory integration in ASD, both within and across sensory modalities (i.e., sight, hearing, touch, etc.…”

Impaired Competence for Pretense in Children with Autism: Exploring Potential Cognitive Predictors

“…Motron, Burack, Stauder, & Robaey, 1999). Consequently, Happé and Frith (2006) revised Frith's hypothesis to emphasize an unusually strong preference for utilizing local rather than global processing strategies.…”