Examining Within- and Cross-Neurotype Emotional Understanding in Autistic and Non-autistic Adults

Summary:

The Double Empathy Problem theory posits that social difficulties between autistic and non-autistic people are bidirectional. The theory has renewed investigations challenging the long-held notion of an “empathy deficit” in autism. In our study, we want to examine if emotional understanding differs when participants (either autistic or neurotypical) empathize with others who share or do not share their neurotype. 

Researchers:

Wei Ai (PhD student), Jennifer Yu (Masters student), Mishel Alexandrovsky (PhD student), Dr. Meng-Chuan Lai (Associate Professor at the University of Toronto and Clinician Scientist at CAMH, Supervisor)

Who can participate?

Autistic adults with an official autism diagnosis from healthcare professionals

Have normal or corrected to normal vision and hearing 

Not in acute distress or mental health crises 

Must be able to commute to the University of Toronto Downtown campus

What's involved?

In this in-person study, participants will be shown 13 short videos depicting either autistic or neurotypical narrators recounting emotional autobiographical events. While viewing, participants will continuously track the emotional intensity as experienced by the narrators at each moment. Their heart rate will be monitored with a non-invasive Bittium device. The study will take 1.5 hours to complete. 

How will participants be compensated?

Participants will be compensated at $30/hour through EverythingCard (which can be redeemed at major retailers such as Best Buy, Loblaws, Uber Eats, and Amazon). 

Contact information: psy.mclab@utoronto.ca