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Better to be equal? Challenges to equality for cognitively able children with autism spectrum disorders in a social decision game
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posted on 2023-06-08, 21:58 authored by Eva A Schmitz, Robin BanerjeeRobin Banerjee, Lucinda B C Pouw, Lex Stockmann, Carolien RieffeMuch controversy surrounds questions about whether humans have an aversion to inequity and how a commitment to equality might play a role in cooperation and other aspects of social interactions. Examining the social decisions of children with autism spectrum disorders provides a fascinating opportunity to explore these issues. Specifically, we evaluated the possibility that children with autism spectrum disorders may be less likely than typically developing children to show a prioritisation of equality. A total of 69 typically developing (mean age 11;6 years) and 57 cognitively able children with autism spectrum disorders (mean age 11;7 years) played a social decision game in which the equality option was pitted against alternatives that varied in instrumental outcomes. Results showed that both groups were more likely to choose the equality option when there was no cost to the self. However, even though children with autism spectrum disorders appeared to view equality as preferable to causing explicit harm to others, they departed from an equality stance when there was an opportunity to increase instrumental gain without any obvious harm to the self or the other. Typically developing children, in contrast, showed similar prioritisation of equality across these contexts. Future research needs to address the question of how differences in the commitment to equality affect children's social behaviour and relationships in daily life.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
AutismISSN
1362-3613Publisher
SAGE PublicationsExternal DOI
Issue
2Volume
19Page range
178-186Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2015-07-31First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2015-07-31Usage metrics
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