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Social Conformity in Autism.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

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Authors

Lazzaro, Stephanie C 
Weidinger, Laura 
Cooper, Rose A 
Moutsiana, Christina 

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.

Description

Keywords

Autism, Conformity, Memory, Social cognition, Adult, Autistic Disorder, Female, Humans, Judgment, Male, Memory, Neuropsychological Tests, Social Conformity, Young Adult

Journal Title

J Autism Dev Disord

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0162-3257
1573-3432

Volume Title

49

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC