title: The hyper-systemizing, assortative mating theory of autism.
abstract: The hyper-systemizing theory of autism proposes that the systemizing mechanism is set too high in people with autism. As a result, they can only cope with highly lawful systems, and cannot cope with systems of high variance or change (such as the social world of other minds). They appear 'change-resistant'. This proposal extends the extreme male brain theory of autism. Finally, evidence is reviewed for autism being the genetic result of assortative mating of two high systemizers.
authors.affiliation: Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 2AH, UK. sb205@cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baron-Cohen
mesh_terms: D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology; D012931:Social Environment