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Empathizing and Systemizing in Adults with and without Autism Spectrum Conditions: Cross-Cultural Stability

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Abstract

This study tests the empathizing-systemizing (E-S) theory of sex differences and the extreme male brain (EMB) theory of autism. Three groups of participants took part: n = 48 people with autism spectrum, n = 137 general population controls, and n = 1,250 university student controls. Each participant completed the Empathy Quotient (EQ) and the Systemizing Quotient (SQ). Results: The autism spectrum condition (ASC) group scored significantly lower than controls on the EQ, and significantly higher on the SQ. Among both control groups, females scored significantly higher than males on the EQ, whilst males scored significantly higher than females on the SQ. The distribution of ‘brain types’, based on the difference between EQ and SQ scores, showed distinct profiles for people with ASC, control males and control females.

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Acknowledgments

AW was supported by a grant (The Grant-in Aid for Scientific Research No.16530418) from the Japan Society for the promotion of Science. SBC and SW were supported by the MRC UK and the Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation during the period of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Chiba University, Yayoi-cho, Inage, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan

    Akio Wakabayashi

  2. Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge , Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 2AH, UK

    Akio Wakabayashi, Simon Baron-Cohen & Sally Wheelwright

  3. Department of Human Relations, Faculty of Human Welfare, Otsuma Women’s University, Karakida, Tama, Tokyo, 206–8540, Yokohama, Japan

    Tokio Uchiyama

  4. Psycho-Developmental Clinic, Chigasaki-chuo, Tsuzuki, Yokohama, 224–0032, Japan

    Tokio Uchiyama, Yuko Yoshida & Miho Kuroda

Authors
  1. Akio Wakabayashi
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  2. Simon Baron-Cohen
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  3. Tokio Uchiyama
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  4. Yuko Yoshida
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  6. Sally Wheelwright
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Correspondence to Akio Wakabayashi.

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Wakabayashi, A., Baron-Cohen, S., Uchiyama, T. et al. Empathizing and Systemizing in Adults with and without Autism Spectrum Conditions: Cross-Cultural Stability. J Autism Dev Disord 37, 1823–1832 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0316-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0316-6

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