An investigation of empathy in children with autism
An investigation of empathy in children with autism
The literature review explored empirical evidence for empathic difficulties in individuals with autism, using a model of the typical development of empathy (Hoffman, 2000). Evidence discussed was taken from studies of deficits in prerequisites to empathic responding (e.g. Downs, & Smith, 2004; Kasari, Sigman, Mundy, & Yirmiya, 1990), and more direct studies of empathy (e.g. Yirmiya, Sigman, Kasari & Mundy, 1992). The review concluded that, despite the widespread recognition that socio-emotional relating is impaired in children with autism, the research evidence for difficulties in empathic responding, is not comprehensive. The empirical study aimed to further investigate whether empathy is impaired in children with autism. Participants were arranged into a group of children with autism (n=20), and two control groups of children with learning difficulties (n=17) and typical development (n=20). A computer based empathy task was used which incorporated emotionally evocative vignettes. The present study extended the previous research findings that children with autism are able to respond empathically, showing the same level of empathic responding as non-autistic children.
University of Southampton
Glossop, Victoria
8bf7e3e7-acc2-4a66-99ba-578e4ca70cc0
2006
Glossop, Victoria
8bf7e3e7-acc2-4a66-99ba-578e4ca70cc0
Glossop, Victoria
(2006)
An investigation of empathy in children with autism.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
The literature review explored empirical evidence for empathic difficulties in individuals with autism, using a model of the typical development of empathy (Hoffman, 2000). Evidence discussed was taken from studies of deficits in prerequisites to empathic responding (e.g. Downs, & Smith, 2004; Kasari, Sigman, Mundy, & Yirmiya, 1990), and more direct studies of empathy (e.g. Yirmiya, Sigman, Kasari & Mundy, 1992). The review concluded that, despite the widespread recognition that socio-emotional relating is impaired in children with autism, the research evidence for difficulties in empathic responding, is not comprehensive. The empirical study aimed to further investigate whether empathy is impaired in children with autism. Participants were arranged into a group of children with autism (n=20), and two control groups of children with learning difficulties (n=17) and typical development (n=20). A computer based empathy task was used which incorporated emotionally evocative vignettes. The present study extended the previous research findings that children with autism are able to respond empathically, showing the same level of empathic responding as non-autistic children.
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Published date: 2006
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Local EPrints ID: 467041
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/467041
PURE UUID: 1cdccdf5-6de0-4628-a46d-26b70f9cd3a8
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Date deposited: 05 Jul 2022 08:09
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 20:57
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Author:
Victoria Glossop
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