Social Conformity in Autism.

Social Conformity in Autism.
J Autism Dev Disord. 2018 Nov 14;:
Authors: Lazzaro SC, Weidinger L, Cooper RA, Baron-Cohen S, Moutsiana C, Sharot T
Abstract
Humans are extremely susceptible to social influence. Here, we examine whether this susceptibility is altered in autism, a condition characterized by social difficulties. Autistic participants (N = 22) and neurotypical controls (N = 22) completed a memory test of previously seen words and were then exposed to answers supposedly given by four other individuals. Autistic individuals and controls were as likely to alter their judgements to align with inaccurate responses of group members. These changes reflected both temporary judgement changes (public conformity) and long-lasting memory changes (private conformity). Both groups were more susceptible to answers believed to be from other humans than from computer algorithms. Our results suggest that autistic individuals and controls are equally susceptible to social influence when reporting their memories.
PMID: 30430321 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - November 14, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Lazzaro SC, Weidinger L, Cooper RA, Baron-Cohen S, Moutsiana C, Sharot T Tags: J Autism Dev Disord Source Type: research