Social Cognition

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Sex Difference in Joint Attention: Evidence from Extreme Male Brain Theory Using Eye Tracking

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associated professor in Psychology and Educational Science, Shahid Beheshti University

2 Ph.D. Student in Psychology and Educational Science, Shahid Beheshti University

Abstract

Aims: According to Extreme Male Brain (EMB) theory in autism, the strong and weak points of cognitive reactions of autistic people are milder in males. Joint attention, as a compromiser of subsequent opportunities for the development of social cognition, is disturbed in autistic people. This study aimed to investigate this cognitive function in male and females. Method: Fifty seven (32 female) students of Shahid Beheshti University, based on available sampling in year 2013-2014were recruited in the study. Using eye tracking, the behavior and fixation of eye movements as well as the results of computer tasks of joint attention were measured. Results: The results of one and two ways variance indicated that gaze patterns of males and females are different. Also, duration time for looking at the target and face in males was longer than females. Conclusion: In conclusion, our evidence supported the theory of extreme male brain theory indicating lower performance of joint attention in males than females

Keywords

References
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Social Cognition
Volume 4, Issue 1 - Serial Number 7
September 2015
Pages 97-108
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