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Empathy and Empathy Induced Prosocial Behavior in 6-and 7-Year-Olds with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Publication date

2014-07

Authors

Deschamps, Peter K. H.
Been, Marieke
Matthys, WalterISNI 0000000068143113

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2048-3

Document Type

Article

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Utrecht University Repository

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Abstract

The present study aimed to assess empathy and prosocial behavior in 6-7 year old children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Results showed, first, lower levels of parent- and teacher-rated cognitive empathy, and similar levels of affective empathy in children with ASD compared to typically developing (TD) children. Second, emotion recognition for basic emotions, one aspect of cognitive empathy, in a story task was adequate in ASD children, but ASD children with severe impairments in social responsiveness had difficulties in recognizing fear. Third, prosocial behavior in response to signals of distress of a peer in a computer task was similar in ASD as in TD children. In conclusion, early elementary school children with ASD show specific impairments in cognitive empathy.

Keywords

Autism spectrum disorder, Children, Cognitive empathy, Affective empathy, Empathy induced prosocial behavior, HIGH-FUNCTIONING AUTISM, EMOTION RECOGNITION, ASPERGER-SYNDROME, COMPLEX EMOTION, FUTURE-RESEARCH, FILMS TASK, CHILDREN, INDIVIDUALS, ADULTS, MIND

Citation

Deschamps, P K H, Been, M & Matthys, W 2014, 'Empathy and Empathy Induced Prosocial Behavior in 6-and 7-Year-Olds with Autism Spectrum Disorder', Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, vol. 44, no. 7, pp. 1749-1758. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2048-3

URI

https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/305589