How Do Levels of Cognitive and Affective Empathy Differ in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Compared to Neurotypical Individuals?
Faculty Mentor
Sara Haden
Major/Area of Research
Psychology
Description
INTRODUCTION: This study explores the differences in cognitive and affective empathy between individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and neurotypical (NT) individuals.
METHOD: A total of 22 participants (11 ASD, 11 NT), matched by age and gender, completed two validated empathy assessments: the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) for cognitive empathy and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) for affective empathy.
RESULTS: NT participants scored significantly higher on the RMET, indicating stronger cognitive empathy. However, no significant differences were found in the IRI scores, suggesting similar levels of affective empathy across groups. These findings propose that while individuals with ASD may experience difficulties in recognizing others’ emotions, they may still experience great affective responses to empathy. The results display the complicated nature of empathy and its dimensions, and how a lack of cognitive empathy does not undermine one's ability to feel affective empathy. Limitations include a small sample size and the reliance of self-report measures.
How Do Levels of Cognitive and Affective Empathy Differ in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Compared to Neurotypical Individuals?
INTRODUCTION: This study explores the differences in cognitive and affective empathy between individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and neurotypical (NT) individuals.
METHOD: A total of 22 participants (11 ASD, 11 NT), matched by age and gender, completed two validated empathy assessments: the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) for cognitive empathy and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) for affective empathy.
RESULTS: NT participants scored significantly higher on the RMET, indicating stronger cognitive empathy. However, no significant differences were found in the IRI scores, suggesting similar levels of affective empathy across groups. These findings propose that while individuals with ASD may experience difficulties in recognizing others’ emotions, they may still experience great affective responses to empathy. The results display the complicated nature of empathy and its dimensions, and how a lack of cognitive empathy does not undermine one's ability to feel affective empathy. Limitations include a small sample size and the reliance of self-report measures.