title: Going 'above and beyond': are those high in autistic traits less pro-social?
abstract: Few studies have explored how the cognitive differences associated with autistic spectrum disorder translate into everyday social behaviour. This study investigated pro-social behaviour in students scoring high and low on the autism-spectrum quotient (AQ), using a novel scenario task: 'Above and Beyond'. Each scenario involved an opportunity to behave pro-socially, and thus required balancing the needs of a character against participants' own interests. High AQ participants both generated responses and selected courses of action that were less pro-social than those of the low AQ group. For actions of low pro-social value they gave higher self-satisfaction ratings; conversely, they gave lower self-satisfaction ratings for high pro-social actions. The implications for everyday functioning are considered for those with high autistic traits.
authors: Department of Cognitive, Perceptual and Brain Sciences, University College London (UCL), Bedford Way Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK, l.jameel@ucl.ac.uk.
authors: Leila
authors: L
authors: Jameel
authors: Karishma
authors: K
authors: Vyas
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Bellesi
authors: Victoria
authors: V
authors: Roberts
authors: Shelley
authors: S
authors: Channon
mesh_terms: D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult