Baron-Cohen (2001) Summary Sheet

Ps = Participants
ToM = Theory of Mind
BACKGROUND
Baron-Cohen suggested that people with autism have an underdeveloped ‘ToM’. To measure the ‘ToM’ of
individuals Baron-Cohen came up with the ‘Reading the Mind in the Eyes’ Task where Ps would be
evaluated on their ability to label others’ expressions by observing their eye regions on photos.
Theory of Mind: the ability to understand others’ views.

AIM
To test if the revised version of the ‘Reading the Mind in the Eyes’ test would be successful at
differentiating Ps with AS/HFA from the general population.
METHODS (Research, Design, Sampling, IV & DV)
Research Method: Natural experiment
Research Design: Independent groups design
Sampling
 Group 1: 15 males with AS/HFA.
 Group 2: 122 adults as comparative control group of adults.
 Group 3: 103 undergraduate students as comparative control group of students.
 Group 4: 14 IQ matched controls
IV: Whether they had AS/HFA or were normal.
DV: R-ET score; AQ score; gender identification

PROCEDURE
Baron-Cohen conducted a pilot study where there were 8 judges. For the target words and foils for each
of the 36 eye sets to be chosen.
 At least 5 judges had to agree on the target word.
 No more than 2 could select a foil word. Control groups were first tested with 40 photos but then
eliminated 4 later on, leaving 36 items.
Each test was individually administered at Cambridge or Exeter. There was not a time limit. Each PP was
given a practice and then the 36 eye sets, and 4 possible target words. Group 1 judged the gender of each
photo as a control. Group 1, 3, and 4 completed the AQ test. Ps read through the glossary of terms and
clarify doubts. They could use the glossary during the test. Ethics: Ps consent was taken & data
anonymized.
RESULTS
 Scores on the R-ET ranged from 17-35, mode: 24.
 Group 1 performed worse on R-ET than others.
 Group 1 performed better on the AQ test than other groups.
 Females scored higher on R-ET.
 There was a negative correlation (of -0.53) between AQ and R-ET scores.

Study With Mehar 1

 CONCLUSIONS
1. AS/HFA adults have a deficit in identifying emotions of others.
2. AS/HFA adults score higher on the AQ than the general population.
3. Gender differences found on the R-ET as females performed better than men.
4. R-ET was a sensitive measure of adult social intelligence.

EVALUATE METHODOLOGIES
 As it was a lab experiment, confounding variables were able to be controlled (all Ps saw the same eye
sets). This improved internal validity, and the study can be repeated to check the reliability.
 Validity of the eyes test has improved due to the changes made on the R-ET.
 Lack of ecological validity as results can’t be applied to everyday situations.
 Experimental sample (group 1) is small therefore results cannot be generalised to the target
population.
EVALUATE APPROACH/BACKGROUND
By recreating the study, the study had improved its validity and reliability, because the issues related to
the first study had been resolved.

APPLICATION TO EVERYDAY LIFE

The results of the study are very difficult to apply in real life, as eye expressions in real life are given
quickly and under an unpredictable time limit.

INDIVIDUAL vs SITUATIONAL EXPLANATION of Behaviour

The individual explanation of the behaviour would be the level of IQ the participant of each group is
having. Whether they are having AS/HFA or are normal is important to consider. Also, females are
considered to have a better Theory of Mind.
The situational explanations of the behaviour would be that participants’ performances may have gotten
worse at identifying emotions due to fatigue order effects.
NATURE vs NURTURE
The nature factor affecting the results of the study are whether they have AS/HFA or are normal. The
nurture factors affecting the results of the study would be whether the child had been properly taught or
not on how to recognize emotions correctly like normal individuals.
Use of CHILDREN & ANIMALS in Psychological Research
Children can be used in the study, but not children too young, as children that are normal or has AS/HFA
both may not be able to observe and identify various eye expressions, especially complex ones.

Study With Mehar 2