title: Attentional processing of faces in ASD: a Dot-Probe study.
abstract: The present study used the Dot-Probe paradigm to explore attentional allocation to faces compared with non-social images in high-functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing controls. There was no evidence of attentional bias in either group when stimuli were presented at individually calculated sub-threshold levels. However, at supra-threshold presentation (200 ms), a face bias was found for control participants but not for those with ASD. These results add to evidence of reduced social interest in ASD, relative to controls, and further demonstrate when atypical social processing arises in the attentional time course.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Sociology and Politics, Faculty of Development and Society, Sheffield Hallam University, Collegiate Crescent Campus, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Heavey
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reidy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D001288:Attention; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology*; D005133:Eye Movements; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011930:Reaction Time; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult