People on the autistic spectrum are more focused on things rather than people - due to socialization?

Question

I know what you're thinking, this is a ludicrous question, since we never doubt that autism and fellow disorders have a biological basis, I also thought it would be an interesting point to look at, when it comes to men and masculinity.

Researchers such as Simon Baron Cohen (brother of the guy who played Borat) who study autism have come up with a theory that autistic spectrum disorders are more of a cognitive difference, rather than a disorder. Meaning that if the world cared more about systems, computers, science and logic, and less about people skills, empathizing, and relationships - they would be fine.

He said that the two cognitive styles were empathizing and systemizing, and on average male tend to be more adapt at the later and vice versa for females. Hence possible explaining why autism occurs at approximately 4 times more in males than in females. Some scientists hypothesize that it could be due to a hypermasculization of the brain, influenced by prenatal hormones such as testosterone.

So on average due to endocrinal biology (I’m not excluding socialization) this foetal masculization could result in grown men and boys being more cold, aloof, and less people orientated than women by default, then it would make sense why culturally men have been required to display these traits. Further more, a socialization or conditioning of men who display these phenotypic traits to a lesser degree could also be taking place.

What do you think of this perspective from a biological point of view?

Answer 1

No, it's something you're born with. Even though I've never been diagnosed, I do have many of the sympoms. I don't like looking people in the eye, I'm uncomfortable in social situations, I don't enjoy making small talk, and I'm much happier being alone and working with objects than being with a group of people. Even though I've managed to overcome my aversion to making eye contact and I can force myself to make small talk, I still don't like it.

Answer 2

the answer is yes

Answer 3

I have significant Asberger's features as the result of an acquired brain injury in infancy.  I also have an identical twin brother with no injury as a control sample. Apparently we developed similarly until I developed Comunicating Hydrocephalus. So far as my doctors were concerned, I am now no different from any other high-functioning autistic, the only difference there being no inheritability.

Oddly enough I am more socialised than my brother, though I am also better able to focus on tasks.  I have always been aware that I am different from most of the people around me in terms of mannerisms and so forth, but it always made sense to me to work on socialisation as another task.

It is also commonly held that geniuses (I am not one), often display autistic features, be they male or female.

Answer 4

Dude, hey man, I don't think I can answer your question too deeply but I can tell you what I think is going on in autistic children, based on my past experiences with them as a day care worker. I knew a little boy who couldn't take orders, he wanted to eat already and we had a rule that the kids could take lunch at a certain time of the day. I couldn't do anything to get him to obey and he would eat behind my back. So though autistic children can follow rules to some degree, they have a determination to break the rules to get what they want no matter who tells them or what rewards you offer (which I did and wasn't successful), until you make them cry, which I wasn't willing to do. Of course a more trained person could have taught him to restrain his hunger using proven techniques, but my view is that, emotionally, autistic children are quite independent! I think you're question is that if the world were a certain way, autistic people would be normal. I'm not so sure, though they have strong feelings about what they want and may be able to achieve amazing feats at times, you would have to question how they'd be able to function at high stress, decision making types of occupations. They probably wouldn't be able to make fast decisions or concentrate while being yelled at or the like. I can't really answering your question but I'm just throwing in a little to the pot.  

Answer 5

I have heard of the theories set forth by Baron Cohen, and they are very interesting. But I've read that they have discovered a gene for Autism, which explains why there are often several individuals in a family who are somewhere on the spectrum.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/469705...

If it were fetal exposure to hormones, it would appear much more randomly, it seems, AND it would seemingly follow that men with higher levels of testosterone are more apt to be Autistic. This does not seem to be the case.

As for your theory about people skills, empathy, and the male brain, I have thought about this, but cannot get it to line up with evolution. What I mean is, simply put, "people need people." This sounds like a corny cliche, but it is a basic fact of our existence. Humans are terribly weak and defenseless animals. We are slow, have little protection, such as claws, and very low muscle mass compared to most other predators. Our brains, and our SOCIAL group, are what allowed us to survive, and conquer the planet. A lone human is lion food, a group of them can kill that lion and take it home for dinner. So it would benefit men to have excellent communication skills and empathy (to fit in the group) as well. It would not behoove the male of the species to evolve to be super-individualistic. Not paying attention to body language, verbal cues, and the social group is a good way to get eaten by a lion...or, you know, a saber-toothed cat, whatever.

Answer 6

very interesting. Makes a lot of sense. I am on the spectrum and I'm a girl. Most people in my family that are on the spectrum are girls. My sister, my mom, my dad, my great grandma, and my great uncle are on the spectrum. I've met a lot of guys and they aren't really into the social stuff that women do. Most men I've met would rather watch football and play on the computer than be social. Men only get into the social; scene of things when their wives, daughters, or moms make them.  You make a lot of sense. I agree with you.

Answer 7

I'm female & I have Asperger' s. There are many people in my family who are in all likelihood on the spectrum, most of them male. I don't think that they'll ever find one gene, one environment, one virus that causes autism. It's a complex interaction of many things, just like with neurotypical people.

Answer 8

I am confused by the mismatch between your question (autism is due to socialization) and the additional info you give (autism is due to testosterone).

Baron-Cohen's testosterone theory of autism attracts heavy scepticism from experts on autism e.g. the evidence he provides is always very weak, and in some cases very hard to replicate, and that the only reason that it has gained any attention is that it has popular appeal because it is simple and involves testosterone (which always grabs attention). My own view is that his theory is barking up the wrong tree and probably wasting a lot of research funding in the process.

Answer 9

It's hard to say because my brother has autism, and while he prefers the company of things, he is also very affectionate when he does interact with people (perhaps a little too affectionate). If he's ever learned to be aloof, I can't imagine where.

Answer 10

So my son who wasn't responding to his name at 9 months old, or playing with toys or exploring his environment was just "socialized" that way?

And at 18 months when he would tense and slam doors for an hour on end and not respond to his name It was just because we focus on people and not objects?

Or when he was 26 months old and not talking, had the balance and gross motor skills of a 14 month baby and had even more ticks and behaviors at then at 18 months it was because he was "super manly"?

Even after nine months of 20 hours a week of ABA, Speech, DI, and OT he still doesn't respond to his name, or hold conversations, or ask for things without prompting and its all because of why...?

I didn't read anything in that post that shows the least bit of understanding as to what Autism is or how it affects the children who have it.

Nice arm chair though

Edit- You need to take a good look at what goes into training, educating, teaching (I'm not sure which term is right) children with autism before you look at the end result, the so called "incurable" parts that still manifest themselves in children on the spectrum Autism is more than just PDD-NOS and Asbergers

Answer 11

excellent question. I have worked with a couple people who had more mild cases of autism. (Asbergers (sp?)

They always said that their main problem was that they had a hard time recognizing social que's. They were all men. However these men were extremely talented in other area's, like you said. You are probably right. Women are more social most of the time. Men may be more prone because their gender traits are most like a person with autism.  But my personal opinion is that it has to alot to do with heavy metal poisoning.

Answer 12

I think you're forgetting that people need other people. You're just not able to reach out to them if you're severely autistic. I know someone who is diagnosed with aspergers who is hungry for social interaction. I know a man that is really great with technology and he is speaks to groups of people about Asperger's Syndrome. Evidently, it doesn't impede people that much from what I've seen. It's really encouraging that it doesn't have to ruin a person's life. Yet, it is h**l for parents who are unable to discipline their children and must chose between remaining home for days or respite care. They seem to be worse off then the kids!

Answer 13

The best study I have read on Autism was written by Temple Grandin, a high functioning autistic and a woman.  In her account of her life I saw little to nothing about aloofness.  What stood out to me was her ability to relate to animals,  her unusual processes for thinking and communicating and the way small amounts of human contact, especially physical touching could make her feel overwhelmed.  If you are really interested in autism you should read this rare first-hand account by one of the few autistic people who is articulate enough to share her own experience.