The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

Visual information processing by high functioning individuals with autistic spectrum condition

Visual information processing by high functioning individuals with autistic spectrum condition
Visual information processing by high functioning individuals with autistic spectrum condition
People with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) have sometimes been found to show a local-processing bias on certain visual tasks. This bias has been associated with superior task performance on tasks where it confers an advantage. However, this finding is far from universal; especially when the research participants with ASC have an average to above average level of general intellectual functioning. This thesis comprises a literature review of research examining the processing of visual information by people with ASC, and an empirical paper examining the performance of people with ASC on the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure. The literature review considers various models of ASC with the predictions they make for processing of complex visual stimuli. The evidence which supports or refutes these theories is described. Several methodologies have been used to explore visual processing in people with ASC and the information and understanding which each methodology has provided is discussed. Finally, the literature review considers what still remains unknown, and potential directions for future research. The empirical paper is a quantitative study using the Boston Qualitative Scoring System and eye tracking methodology to investigate the potential presence of a local-processing bias, evidenced by increased lower level cognitive processing during completion of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure. A local-processing bias was not found. This study does not support the presence of this bias in high functioning individuals with ASC. The study findings are discussed in relation to the existing literature and the Underconnectivity Hypothesis of ASC.
Tooze, Alana
f1104ee0-a45f-47d5-b822-b2c43918d189
Tooze, Alana
f1104ee0-a45f-47d5-b822-b2c43918d189
Benson, Valerie
4827cede-6668-4e3d-bded-ade4cd5e5db5

Tooze, Alana (2012) Visual information processing by high functioning individuals with autistic spectrum condition. University of Southampton, Psychology, Doctoral Thesis, 109pp.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

People with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) have sometimes been found to show a local-processing bias on certain visual tasks. This bias has been associated with superior task performance on tasks where it confers an advantage. However, this finding is far from universal; especially when the research participants with ASC have an average to above average level of general intellectual functioning. This thesis comprises a literature review of research examining the processing of visual information by people with ASC, and an empirical paper examining the performance of people with ASC on the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure. The literature review considers various models of ASC with the predictions they make for processing of complex visual stimuli. The evidence which supports or refutes these theories is described. Several methodologies have been used to explore visual processing in people with ASC and the information and understanding which each methodology has provided is discussed. Finally, the literature review considers what still remains unknown, and potential directions for future research. The empirical paper is a quantitative study using the Boston Qualitative Scoring System and eye tracking methodology to investigate the potential presence of a local-processing bias, evidenced by increased lower level cognitive processing during completion of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure. A local-processing bias was not found. This study does not support the presence of this bias in high functioning individuals with ASC. The study findings are discussed in relation to the existing literature and the Underconnectivity Hypothesis of ASC.

Text
__userfiles.soton.ac.uk_Users_gc10g12_mydesktop_DClinPsy thesis.pdf - Other
Download (810kB)

More information

Published date: June 2012
Organisations: University of Southampton, Psychology

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 347433
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/347433
PURE UUID: 44effffe-02e3-40c0-a9ea-d1dcf15aed1d

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 27 Feb 2013 14:40
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 12:48

Export record

Contributors

Author: Alana Tooze
Thesis advisor: Valerie Benson

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×