EVALUATE ES

Question 1

FOR

Answer 1

• Lawson et al tested three groups for empathising systemising abilities males with and without ASD and females from gen pop
• females performed better than non ASD males on empathising however they performed better than ASD males
• females worst on systemising and males did not differ
• findings match e-s theory predictions and the view ASD is associated with an extreme form of the male brain

Question 2

AGAINST

Answer 2

• cannot explain ASD in females
• valla et al gave eye tasks to 144 male and female students participants were non ASD
• researchers found males scored high for systemising and low for empathising suggesting it is enhanced in male brain at cost of empathising
• found females perform strongly on both theory suggests it should be opposite
• this suggests E-s theory has difficulty explaining ASD In females

Question 3

APPLICATION

Answer 3

• Wakabayashi et al tested 1,500 Japanese participants with and without ASD both e and s assessed
• ASD scored lower on e and higher on s
• females lower s higher e
• conducted in collectivist culture compared to individualist outcomes are similar suggesting Es is universally valid

Question 4

ALTERNATIVE

Answer 4

• assuming ASD is explained only by Es is reductionist and ignores other equally plausible explanations