title: Size Constancy is Preserved but Afterimages are Prolonged in Typical Individuals with Higher Degrees of Self-Reported Autistic Traits.
abstract: Deficits in perceptual constancies from early infancy have been proposed to contribute to autism and exacerbate its symptoms (Hellendoorn et al., Frontiers in Psychology 6:1-16, 2015). Here, we examined size constancy in adults from the general population (N = 106) with different levels of self-reported autistic traits using an approach based on negative afterimages. The afterimage strength, as indexed by duration and vividness, was also quantified. In opposition to the Hellendoorn and colleagues' model, we were unable to demonstrate any kind of relationship between abilities in size constancy and autistic traits. However, our results demonstrated that individuals with higher degrees of autistic traits experienced more persistent afterimages. We discuss possible retinal and post-retinal explanations for prolonged afterimages in people with higher levels of autistic traits.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK. i.sperandio@uea.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sperandio
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK.
authors.forename: Katy L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Unwin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Counselling, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Oriane
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Landry
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Counselling, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Philippe A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Chouinard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000360:Afterimage / Q000502:physiology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D057566:Self Report; D012858:Size Perception / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adaptation; Afterimage; Autism spectrum quotient; Light sensitivity