Social Cognition and Friendships in Adolescents With Autistic-Like Experiences and Psychotic-Like Experiences

Autism spectrum conditions (ASC) and schizophrenia spectrum conditions (SSC) are both characterized by changes in social-cognitive functioning. Less is known about the overlap and the differences in social-cognitive functioning when comparing individuals with subclinical levels of ASC and SSC, while studies in non-clinical samples have the benefit of avoiding confounds that are present in clinical groups. Therefore, we first examined how autistic-like experiences, positive psychotic-like experiences and the co-occurrence of both correlated with the performance on an extensive battery of social cognition tasks in young adolescents. Second, we examined the effect of autistic-like experiences, psychotic-like experiences and their co-occurrence on friendships in daily life. A total of 305 adolescents (Mage = 12.6, sd = 0.4, 147 boys) participated in the current study. A battery of social cognition tasks, comprising the Reading the Mind in the Eyes task, Dot perspective task and trust game were individually administered in a classroom setting, along with a friendship peer nomination questionnaire. Results indicated no evidence for a relationship between the performance on the social cognition battery and subclinical experiences of autism and/or psychosis. However, results did show that the amount of autistic-like experiences of adolescents were associated with being less often selected as a friend by their peers. By contrast, no relationship between self-reported friendships and autistic-like experiences was found. Neither a relationship between friendships and psychotic-like experiences was reported. This study provides initial evidence that information provided by peers may shed light on (altered) social behavior associated with autistic-like experiences that is not apparent on performance measures, as well as elucidate possible differences between autistic- and psychotic-like experiences.

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M49. BEHAVIOURAL SOCIAL COGNITION IN SCHIZOPHRENIA SPECTRUM DISORDERS IN COMPARISON TO AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Schizophrenia Bulletin ◽

10.1093/schbul/sbaa030.361 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S152-S153

Author(s):

Lindsay Oliver ◽

Iska Moxon-Emre ◽

Aristotle Voineskos ◽

Stephanie Ameis

Keyword(s):

Social Cognition ◽

Cognitive Deficits ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Social Cognitive Deficits ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

The Mind

Abstract Background Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) both feature social cognitive deficits, which are highly debilitating. These include lower-level processes (e.g. emotion recognition), thought to be subserved by a frontoparietal mirroring network, and higher-level mentalizing processes (e.g. theory of mind), involving cortical midline and lateral temporal brain regions. Across both disorders, impairments in social cognition persist over time, drive disability, and predict functional outcome. Overlapping symptoms in SSDs and ASD have long been recognized, particularly in the realm of social deficits. However, despite some studies including both individuals with SSDs and ASD showing similar levels of social cognitive impairment, including lower-level and higher-level deficits, results are mixed. Thus, our objective was to determine based on the extant literature how deficits in social cognition diverge or overlap between individuals with SSDs and ASD by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies directly comparing these groups on behavioural social cognitive measures. Methods Literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science to identify articles that utilized behavioural measures to assess social cognition in both SSD and ASD samples. Of 3682 articles identified, 28 met all inclusion criteria. Across the accepted articles, lower-level (e.g. facial and/or context-embedded emotion recognition) and higher-level (e.g. intention understanding, perspective taking) social cognitive measures were identified, and random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for each category. A separate meta-analysis was also conducted for the Reading the Mind in the Eyes test given that it was the most commonly used social cognitive metric. Effect sizes were estimated using Hedges’ g. Homogeneity of effects and publication bias were also assessed for each meta-analysis. Results A significant difference in lower-level social cognitive performance was found between individuals with SSDs and ASD, with the SSD group performing better than the ASD group (Hedges’ g = 0.30, 95% CI [0.05, 0.56], p = .018). In contrast, there was no significant difference in higher-level social cognitive performance between SSD and ASD groups (Hedges’ g = -0.14, 95% CI [-0.52, 0.24], p = .46). Similarly, the Reading the Mind in the Eyes test meta-analysis revealed no significant difference in effect sizes between disorders (Hedges’ g = 0.24, 95% CI [-0.07, 0.55], p = .14). Effect size distributions were significantly heterogeneous in all three cases (all p < .001). Discussion Based on meta-analyses of the extant literature, both shared and differential social cognitive deficits may be present between individuals with SSDs and ASD. Though no differences were detected between SSD and ASD groups on higher-level social cognitive tasks or the Reading the Mind in the Eyes test, lower-level social cognitive deficits were found to be more severe in individuals with ASD than SSDs. Notably, the majority of studies included in the meta-analyses had small sample sizes, and heterogeneity of effect sizes was apparent. Thus, studies including larger sample sizes and validated measures of social cognition in conjunction with other methodologies are needed to substantiate these results, and better understand the shared and unique behavioural underpinnings and associated neural circuit abnormalities underlying social cognitive deficits in SSDs and ASD.

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S53. DELINEATING SOCIAL COGNITION IN AUTISM AND PSYCHOSIS

Schizophrenia Bulletin ◽

10.1093/schbul/sbaa031.119 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S53-S53

Author(s):

Tim Ziermans ◽

Sophie van Rijn ◽

Hilde Geurts ◽

Lieuwe De Haan

Keyword(s):

Social Cognition ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Ecological Validity ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Cognitive Profile ◽

Self Report ◽

First Episode ◽

Relative Contribution ◽

The Social

Abstract Background Impaired social cognition represents a common feature in both the autism and psychosis spectrum, but direct comparisons are sparse and assessments typically restricted to a few tasks with limited ecological validity. The first aim of the present study was to compare the social cognitive profile of young individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or a first episode psychosis (FEP) with a group of typical comparisons (TC) on a comprehensive social cognition test battery. The second aim was to explore the relative contribution of autistic and psychotic traits to social cognitive performance across groups. Methods In total 90 young individuals (M = 21.9 y, SD = 3.1 y, range = 16–30 y, 67% male) were recruited. Groups (31 FEP, 21 ASD, 38 TC) were matched for age and sex. Social cognition assessment included measures for static and dynamic emotion recognition & social inference / Theory of Mind, social attention (eye-tacking), empathy and alexithymia. Autistic and psychotic traits were assessed with self-report questionnaires (AQ-28 & SPQ-br). Results Data collection is completed at the time of abstract submission and analyses are expected to be finalized in February 2020. Discussion Pending the outcome of our analyses, we expect our results will provide a more complete and detailed picture of shared and unique aspects in the social cognitive profile of autism and psychosis. In general we hypothesize that both ASD and FEP, on a group-level, will significantly underperform compared to TC, but that the respective trait dimensions will each explain a unique amount of variance in social cognitive performance.

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Are There Gender Differences in Social Cognition in First-Episode Psychosis?

Women ◽

10.3390/women1040018 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (4) ◽

pp. 204-211

Author(s):

Marina Verdaguer-Rodríguez ◽

Raquel López-Carrilero ◽

Marta Ferrer-Quintero ◽

Helena García-Mieres ◽

Luciana Díaz-Cutraro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Social Cognition ◽

Attributional Style ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

First Episode Psychosis ◽

Test Theory ◽

First Episode ◽

Cognitive Domains ◽

Episode Psychosis ◽

The Social

The aim of this study was to explore gender differences in social cognition in a sample of first-episode psychosis (FEP). An observational descriptive study was performed with 191 individuals with FEP. Emotion perception was assessed using the Faces Test, theory of mind was assessed using the Hinting Task, and attributional style was assessed using the Internal, Personal and Situational Attributions Questionnaire. No gender differences were found in any of the social cognitive domains. Our results suggest that men and women with FEP achieve similar performances in social cognition. Therefore, targeting specific needs in social cognition regarding gender may not be required in early interventions for psychosis.

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Profil Gaya Kognitif Empathizing-Systemizing pada Anak Indonesia

KELUWIH: Jurnal Sosial dan Humaniora ◽

10.24123/soshum.v1i2.3100 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 109

Author(s):

Ni Putu Adelia Kesumaningsari

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Styles ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Autism Spectrum Conditions ◽

Autism Spectrum Condition ◽

Biological Factors ◽

The Social ◽

Social Features ◽

Extreme Male Brain ◽

Empathy Quotient ◽

Spectrum Condition

Abstract—The present study examined Empathizing-Systemizing Theory (E-S Theory) in Indonesian Children. E-S Theory has known as a theory that is attempted to explain the cluster of both the social and non-social features in autism spectrum conditions. Children’s version of the Empathy Quotient (EQ-C) and the Systemizing Quotient (SQ-C) were administered to 372 Indonesia parents who had typically developed children aged 4-11 years old (boys = 182, girls = 190). The results showed that the girls scored higher that boys on EQ-C . In the case of SQ-C, there were no differences between boys and girls. However, the proportion of cognitive style shows clear individual differences between boys and girls. The proportion of participants with empathizing dominant cognitive sytle was shown higher by girls than boys, which distributed to E and Extreme E brain types, while the proportion of systemizing dominant cognitive styles is higher in boys whom brain types spread across the Type S and Extreme S categories. This study explaining inherited biological factors of autism and underscore the vulnerability among boys to develop autism spectrum condition if compared to girls. Keywords: Empathizing Quotient (EQ), extreme male brain of autism, sex, Systemizing Quotient (SQ) Abstrak—Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji teori Empathizing-Systemizing (E-S Theory) pada konteks anak Indonesia. E-S Theory dikenal sebagai sebuah teori yang digunakan untuk melihat gugus fitur sosial dan non-sosial kondisi spektrum autisme. Subjek penelitian ini adalah 372 orang tua Indonesia dengan anak berusia 4-11 tahun (anak laki-laki = 182, perempuan = 190), M usia = 7 Tahun, SD= 2.423 yang diminta untuk mengisi skala Empathizing Quotient (EQ) dan Systemizing Quotient (SQ). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa bahwa tingkat empati anak perempuan lebih tinggi daripada tingkat empati anak laki-laki. Dalam hal mensistemasi tidak ditemukan adanya perbedaan kemampuan antara anak laki-laki dan perempuan. Namun, proporsi gaya kognitif menunjukkan adanya perbedaan individual yang signifikan antara anak laki-laki dan perempuan. Gaya kognitif dominan berempati lebih tinggi pada anak perempuan, yang tersebar pada kategori tipe otak E dan Ekstrim E, sedangkan proporsi gaya kognitif mensistemasi lebih tinggi pada anak laki-laki dengan tipe otak yang tersebar pada kategori Tipe S dan Ekstrim S. Hasil penelitian ini memberikan bukti adanya faktor biologis bawaan dari autism ditinjau dari jenis kelamin dan menunjukkan kerentanan bawaan anak laki-laki terhadap kondisi autism jika dibandingkan dengan anak perempuan. Kata kunci: Empathizing Quotient (EQ), extreme male brain of autism, jenis kelamin, Systemizing Quotient (SQ)

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Social Cognition through the Lens of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2018/4283427 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Maria Arioli ◽

Chiara Crespi ◽

Nicola Canessa

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Social Cognition ◽

Cognitive Deficits ◽

Cognitive Skills ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Acquired Brain Injury ◽

Clinical Neuroscience ◽

Pathological Conditions ◽

The Social ◽

Social Cognitive Deficits

Social cognition refers to a set of processes, ranging from perception to decision-making, underlying the ability to decode others’ intentions and behaviors to plan actions fitting with social and moral, besides individual and economic considerations. Its centrality in everyday life reflects the neural complexity of social processing and the ubiquity of social cognitive deficits in different pathological conditions. Social cognitive processes can be clustered in three domains associated with (a) perceptual processing of social information such as faces and emotional expressions (social perception), (b) grasping others’ cognitive or affective states (social understanding), and (c) planning behaviors taking into consideration others’, in addition to one’s own, goals (social decision-making). We review these domains from the lens of cognitive neuroscience, i.e., in terms of the brain areas mediating the role of such processes in the ability to make sense of others’ behavior and plan socially appropriate actions. The increasing evidence on the “social brain” obtained from healthy young individuals nowadays constitutes the baseline for detecting changes in social cognitive skills associated with physiological aging or pathological conditions. In the latter case, impairments in one or more of the abovementioned domains represent a prominent concern, or even a core facet, of neurological (e.g., acquired brain injury or neurodegenerative diseases), psychiatric (e.g., schizophrenia), and developmental (e.g., autism) disorders. To pave the way for the other papers of this issue, addressing the social cognitive deficits associated with severe acquired brain injury, we will briefly discuss the available evidence on the status of social cognition in normal aging and its breakdown in neurodegenerative disorders. Although the assessment and treatment of such impairments is a relatively novel sector in neurorehabilitation, the evidence summarized here strongly suggests that the development of remediation procedures for social cognitive skills will represent a future field of translational research in clinical neuroscience.

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The social brain in female autism: a structural imaging study of twins

Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience ◽

10.1093/scan/nsaa064 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 423-436

Author(s):

Élodie Cauvet ◽

Annelies van’t Westeinde ◽

Roberto Toro ◽

Ralf Kuja-Halkola ◽

Janina Neufeld ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Social Cognition ◽

Brain Structure ◽

Imaging Study ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Social Brain ◽

Twin Design ◽

The Social

Abstract A female advantage in social cognition (SoC) might contribute to women’s underrepresentation in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The latter could be underpinned by sex differences in social brain structure. This study investigated the relationship between structural social brain networks and SoC in females and males in relation to ASD and autistic traits in twins. We used a co-twin design in 77 twin pairs (39 female) aged 12.5 to 31.0 years. Twin pairs were discordant or concordant for ASD or autistic traits, discordant or concordant for other neurodevelopmental disorders or concordant for neurotypical development. They underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging and were assessed for SoC using the naturalistic Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition. Autistic traits predicted reduced SoC capacities predominantly in male twins, despite a comparable extent of autistic traits in each sex, although the association between SoC and autistic traits did not differ significantly between the sexes. Consistently, within-pair associations between SoC and social brain structure revealed that lower SoC ability was associated with increased cortical thickness of several brain regions, particularly in males. Our findings confirm the notion that sex differences in SoC in association with ASD are underpinned by sex differences in brain structure.

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