title: Facial feedback mechanisms in autistic spectrum disorders.
abstract: Facial feedback mechanisms of adolescents with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) were investigated utilizing three studies. Facial expressions, which became activated via automatic (Studies 1 and 2) or intentional (Study 2) mimicry, or via holding a pen between the teeth (Study 3), influenced corresponding emotions for controls, while individuals with ASD remained emotionally unaffected. Thus, individuals with ASD do not experience feedback from activated facial expressions as controls do. This facial feedback-impairment enhances our understanding of the social and emotional lives of individuals with ASD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9555, 2300 RB, Leiden, The Netherlands. mastel@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
authors.forename: Mariëlle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stel
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van den Heuvel
authors.forename: Raymond C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Smeets
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005149:Facial Expression; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values