Abstract
Recognizing facial affect is essential for effective social functioning. This study examines emotion recognition abilities
in children aged 7–13 years with High Functioning Autism (HFA = 19), Social Phobia (SP = 17), or typical development (TD = 21).
Findings indicate that all children identified certain emotions more quickly (e.g., happy < anger, disgust, sad < fear) and
more accurately (happy) than other emotions (disgust). No evidence was found for negative interpretation biases in children
with HFA or SP (i.e., all groups showed similar ability to discriminate neutral from non-neutral facial expressions). However,
distinct between-group differences emerged when considering facial expression intensity. Specifically, children with HFA detected
mild affective expressions less accurately than TD peers. Behavioral ratings of social effectiveness or social anxiety were
uncorrelated with facial affect recognition abilities across children. Findings have implications for social skills treatment
programs targeting youth with skill deficits.
in children aged 7–13 years with High Functioning Autism (HFA = 19), Social Phobia (SP = 17), or typical development (TD = 21).
Findings indicate that all children identified certain emotions more quickly (e.g., happy < anger, disgust, sad < fear) and
more accurately (happy) than other emotions (disgust). No evidence was found for negative interpretation biases in children
with HFA or SP (i.e., all groups showed similar ability to discriminate neutral from non-neutral facial expressions). However,
distinct between-group differences emerged when considering facial expression intensity. Specifically, children with HFA detected
mild affective expressions less accurately than TD peers. Behavioral ratings of social effectiveness or social anxiety were
uncorrelated with facial affect recognition abilities across children. Findings have implications for social skills treatment
programs targeting youth with skill deficits.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-20
- DOI 10.1007/s10578-012-0296-z
- Authors
- Nina Wong, Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
- Deborah C. Beidel, Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
- Dustin E. Sarver, Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
- Valerie Sims, Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
- Journal Child Psychiatry & Human Development
- Online ISSN 1573-3327
- Print ISSN 0009-398X