Intuitive Moral Reasoning in High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Matter of Social Schemas?

Overview

Journal J Autism Dev Disord

Publisher Springer

Date 2019 Jan 6

PMID 30610668

Citations 8

Authors

Ulrich Max Schaller

Monica Biscaldi

Thomas Fangmeier

Ludger Tebartz van Elst

Reinhold Rauh

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Using a schema-theoretical perspective in the field of moral cognition, we assessed response behavior of adolescent (n = 15) and adult (n = 22) individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in comparison with adolescent (n = 22) and adult (n = 22) neurotypically developed controls. We conceptualized the Intuitive Moral Reasoning Test-in five moral dilemmas, participants had to choose between two alternative actions and assess their decision with respect to emotional valence, arousal, moral acceptability and permissibility from both the perspective of the acting person and then of the victim. Patients with ASD displayed a different decision and response behavior, particularly when the dilemmas were based on extreme life situations in combination with a social schema involving close social relationships.

Citing Articles

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Development of Moral Judgments in Impersonal and Personal Dilemmas in Autistic Spectrum Disorders from Childhood to Late Adolescence.

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ADOS-Eye-Tracking: The Archimedean Point of View and Its Absence in Autism Spectrum Conditions.

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