3. Cognitive Explanations of Autism: Beyond Theory of Mind
Year: 2021
Type: book-chapter
Abstract: This chapters explores explanatory models of autism and their ethical implications. I describe older explanatory models such as deficit in theory of mind, weak central coherence and problems with executive functioning. Focussing on deficit in theory of mind I demonstrate that problematic assumptions about autistic people and their capacity for emotions and empathy have profound implications for how people look at autistic persons. I also discuss how such assumptions have played a role in meta ethical discussions on the nature of morality. I describe more recent models such as models based on atypical information and sensory processing. Such models are sometimes thought of as more representative of the autistic experience.
Source: Open Book Publishers
DOI: 10.11647/obp.0261.03
Author: Kristien Hens
Institution: University of Antwerp
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W3173301622