title: Implicit social learning in relation to autistic-like traits.
abstract: We investigated if variation in autistic traits in the typically-developed population (using the Autism-spectrum Quotient, AQ) influenced implicit learning of social information. In the learning phase, participants repeatedly observed two identities whose gaze and expression conveyed either a pro- or antisocial disposition. These identities were then employed in a gaze-cueing paradigm. Participants made speeded responses to a peripheral target that was spatially pre-cued by a non-predictive gaze direction. The low AQ group (n = 50) showed a smaller gaze-cueing effect for the antisocial than for the prosocial identity. The high AQ group (n = 48) showed equivalent gaze-cueing for both identities. Others' intentions/dispositions can be learned implicitly and affect subsequent responses to their behavior. This ability is impaired with increasing levels of autistic traits.
authors.affiliation: School of Business, Universidad del Norte, Bloque G, Piso 4, Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia. mhudson@uninorte.edu.co
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: Tanja C W
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Nijboer
authors.forename: Tjeerd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jellema
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D003463:Cues; D004644:Emotions; D005133:Eye Movements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011930:Reaction Time; D012919:Social Behavior; D012938:Social Perception; D055815:Young Adult