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Weak central coherence theory

March 04, 2023

The weak central coherence theory (WCC), also called the central coherence theory (CC), suggests that a specific perceptual-cognitive style, loosely described as a limited ability to understand context or to "see the big picture", underlies the central disturbance in autism and related autism spectrum disorders. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, as well as repetitive behaviours and restricted interests.

The weak central coherence theory attempts to explain how some people diagnosed with autism can show remarkable ability in subjects like mathematics and engineering, yet have trouble with language skills and tend to live in an isolated social world. The theory is among the more prominent conceptual models that try to explain the abnormalities of autistic individuals on tasks involving local and global cognitive processes.

Uta Frith, of University College London, first advanced the weak central coherence theory in the late 1980s.[1] Frith surmised that autistic people typically think about things in the smallest possible parts. Her hypothesis is that autistic children actually perceive details better than neurotypical people,[2][3] but "cannot see the wood for the trees."

Support and criticism

In the last two decades[when?], this theory has been a topic in many studies in which the central coherence skills of individuals with autism are compared to those of control samples.

  1. Results in which these skills are measured with visuospatial tasks confirm the theory to a large extent. Autistic individuals performed tasks where a design or a figure had to be divided into their constituent parts faster than control individuals. For example, autistic individuals perceived the constituent blocks in an unsegmented condition of a Block Design Task more easily (Happé, 1999; Ehlers et al., 1997; Shah & Frith, 1993). In addition, they performed Embedded Figures Tasks in which hidden shapes in drawings have to be found as quickly as possible, better than control individuals (Happé, 1994b; Jolliffe & Baron-Cohen, 1997; Shah & Frith, 1983).
  2. Results in which central coherence skills are measured with perceptual or verbal-semantic tasks revealed that autistic individuals have a tendency for fragmented perception (Jarrold & Russell, 1997; Happé, 1996), and that they benefit less from the context of meaning in sentences, narratives and memory tests (Happé, 1994b; Jolliffe & Baron-Cohen, 1999).[4]

However, there is currently no consensus about the validity of the weak central coherence theory. There are researchers who find results that refute the WCC theory.

In 1994 Sally Ozonoff, David L. Strayer, William M. McMahon and Francis Filloux compared information processing skills in high functioning autistics and controls:

"The performance of high-functioning autistic children was compared with that of two matched control groups, one with Tourette Syndrome and the other developmentally normal. Autistic subjects performed as well as controls on tasks requiring global-local processing and inhibition of neutral responses."[5]

Laurent Mottron, Jacob A. Burack, Johannes E. A. Stauder and Philippe Robaey (1999) conclude that:

"Contrary to expectations based on the central coherence and hierarchisation deficit theories, [our] findings indicate intact holistic processing among persons with autism."[6]

In 2003 they did another study which confirmed their earlier findings and in which they conclude:

"Conclusions: [Our] findings are consistent with other reports of superior performance in detecting embedded figures (Jolliffe & Baron-Cohen, 1997; Shah & Frith, 1983), but typical performance in global and configural processing (Mottron, Burack et al., 1999; Ozonoff et al., 1994) among persons with high-functioning autism. Thus, the notions of local bias and global impairment that are part of WCC may need to be reexamined."[7]

Also in 2003 Beatriz López, Susan R. Leekam conclude their study:

"Conclusions: [Our] findings demonstrate that children with autism do not have a general difficulty in connecting context information and item information as predicted by weak central coherence theory. Instead the results suggest that there is specific difficulty with complex verbal stimuli and in particular with using sentence context to disambiguate meaning."[8]

Natasja van Lang gives the following explanation for these contradictory results:

"Results in which central coherence skills are measured with perceptual or verbal-semantic tasks revealed that autistic individuals have a tendency for fragmented perception (Jarrold & Russell, 1997; Happé, 1996), and that they benefit less from the context of meaning in sentences, narratives and memory tests (Happé, 1994b; Jolliffe & Baron-Cohen, 1999). However, some studies failed to replicate these findings (Brian & Bryson, 1996; Ozonoff et al., 1991; Ropar & Mitchell, 1999). This inconsistency may be explained on the basis of how weak central coherence was measured in terms of an inability to process globally versus the preference for processing locally. Recent studies suggest that people with autism are able to process globally when they are instructed to do so, however they process information locally when no such instructions are offered (Mottron et al., 1999; Plaisted et al., 1999; Rinehart et al., 2000)."[9]

Autistic people have also questioned the theory of WCC. One of the criticisms is that the 'context' deemed universal by the researchers might not at all be so universal from a rational point of view. In her blog Alyric devotes an article to Central Coherence:

"There are differences in the kinds of 'big picture' here obviously. One refers to systems and the others, of the kind that Frith and Happe automatically assumed to be universal, have an essential social element."[10]

Naja Melan claims that neurotypical people are often biased to overemphasize one context and neglecting all other contexts. This he states is an expression of WCC, as compared to autists who have the possibility of consciously focusing on multiple contexts if deemed appropriate by them or requested.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ Autism: Explaining the Enigma (1989).
  2. ^ Frith, Uta (2008). "Weak central coherence (p. 90ff.)". Autism. A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-1992-0756-5.
  3. ^ Happé, F.; Frith, U. (2006). "The Weak Coherence Account: Detail-focused Cognitive Style in Autism Spectrum Disorders". Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Springer Science+Business Media. 36 (1): 5–25. doi:10.1007/s10803-005-0039-0. PMID 16450045. S2CID 14999943.
  4. ^ [1] Natasja van Lang (2003) "Autism spectrum disorders: a study of symptom domains and weak central coherence" p. 59, (reference for the paragraph starting with "In the last decade").
  5. ^ Sally Ozonoff, David L. Strayer, William M. McMahon, Francis Filloux (1994) "Executive Function Abilities in Autism and Tourette Syndrome: An Information Processing Approach" Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 35 (6), 1015–1032. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.1994.tb01807.x
  6. ^ Laurent Mottron, Jacob A. Burack, Johannes E. A. Stauder, Philippe Robaey (1999) "Perceptual Processing among High-functioning Persons with Autism" Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 40 (2), 203–211. doi:10.1111/1469-7610.00433
  7. ^ Laurent Mottron, Jacob A. Burack, Grace Iarocci, Sylvie Belleville, James T. Enns (2003) "Locally oriented perception with intact global processing among adolescents with high-functioning autism: evidence from multiple paradigms" Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 44 (6), 904–913. doi:10.1111/1469-7610.00174
  8. ^ Beatriz López, Susan R. Leekam (2003) "Do children with autism fail to process information in context?" Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 44 (2), 285–300. doi:10.1111/1469-7610.00121
  9. ^ [2] Natasja van Lang (2003) "Autism spectrum disorders: a study of symptom domains and weak central coherence" p. 59.
  10. ^ [3] Alyric (2005) the A Muse: Part 1 The Drive for Central Coherence
  11. ^ Melan, Naja (2006). "Autism for psychologists". from the original on 29 March 2010. Retrieved 2018-09-01.

External links

  • in-cities.com - 'An interview with: Professor Uta Frith' (March, 2005)
  • UCDavis.edu - 'Uta Frith, Ph.D. M.I.N.D. Institute Distinguished Lecturer Series' (February 8, 2006)
  • - Summary of Global and Local processes

March 04, 2023
weak, central, coherence, theory, weak, central, coherence, theory, also, called, central, coherence, theory, suggests, that, specific, perceptual, cognitive, style, loosely, described, limited, ability, understand, context, picture, underlies, central, distur. The weak central coherence theory WCC also called the central coherence theory CC suggests that a specific perceptual cognitive style loosely described as a limited ability to understand context or to see the big picture underlies the central disturbance in autism and related autism spectrum disorders Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication as well as repetitive behaviours and restricted interests The weak central coherence theory attempts to explain how some people diagnosed with autism can show remarkable ability in subjects like mathematics and engineering yet have trouble with language skills and tend to live in an isolated social world The theory is among the more prominent conceptual models that try to explain the abnormalities of autistic individuals on tasks involving local and global cognitive processes Uta Frith of University College London first advanced the weak central coherence theory in the late 1980s 1 Frith surmised that autistic people typically think about things in the smallest possible parts Her hypothesis is that autistic children actually perceive details better than neurotypical people 2 3 but cannot see the wood for the trees Contents 1 Support and criticism 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksSupport and criticism EditIn the last two decades when this theory has been a topic in many studies in which the central coherence skills of individuals with autism are compared to those of control samples Results in which these skills are measured with visuospatial tasks confirm the theory to a large extent Autistic individuals performed tasks where a design or a figure had to be divided into their constituent parts faster than control individuals For example autistic individuals perceived the constituent blocks in an unsegmented condition of a Block Design Task more easily Happe 1999 Ehlers et al 1997 Shah amp Frith 1993 In addition they performed Embedded Figures Tasks in which hidden shapes in drawings have to be found as quickly as possible better than control individuals Happe 1994b Jolliffe amp Baron Cohen 1997 Shah amp Frith 1983 Results in which central coherence skills are measured with perceptual or verbal semantic tasks revealed that autistic individuals have a tendency for fragmented perception Jarrold amp Russell 1997 Happe 1996 and that they benefit less from the context of meaning in sentences narratives and memory tests Happe 1994b Jolliffe amp Baron Cohen 1999 4 However there is currently no consensus about the validity of the weak central coherence theory There are researchers who find results that refute the WCC theory In 1994 Sally Ozonoff David L Strayer William M McMahon and Francis Filloux compared information processing skills in high functioning autistics and controls The performance of high functioning autistic children was compared with that of two matched control groups one with Tourette Syndrome and the other developmentally normal Autistic subjects performed as well as controls on tasks requiring global local processing and inhibition of neutral responses 5 Laurent Mottron Jacob A Burack Johannes E A Stauder and Philippe Robaey 1999 conclude that Contrary to expectations based on the central coherence and hierarchisation deficit theories our findings indicate intact holistic processing among persons with autism 6 In 2003 they did another study which confirmed their earlier findings and in which they conclude Conclusions Our findings are consistent with other reports of superior performance in detecting embedded figures Jolliffe amp Baron Cohen 1997 Shah amp Frith 1983 but typical performance in global and configural processing Mottron Burack et al 1999 Ozonoff et al 1994 among persons with high functioning autism Thus the notions of local bias and global impairment that are part of WCC may need to be reexamined 7 Also in 2003 Beatriz Lopez Susan R Leekam conclude their study Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that children with autism do not have a general difficulty in connecting context information and item information as predicted by weak central coherence theory Instead the results suggest that there is specific difficulty with complex verbal stimuli and in particular with using sentence context to disambiguate meaning 8 Natasja van Lang gives the following explanation for these contradictory results Results in which central coherence skills are measured with perceptual or verbal semantic tasks revealed that autistic individuals have a tendency for fragmented perception Jarrold amp Russell 1997 Happe 1996 and that they benefit less from the context of meaning in sentences narratives and memory tests Happe 1994b Jolliffe amp Baron Cohen 1999 However some studies failed to replicate these findings Brian amp Bryson 1996 Ozonoff et al 1991 Ropar amp Mitchell 1999 This inconsistency may be explained on the basis of how weak central coherence was measured in terms of an inability to process globally versus the preference for processing locally Recent studies suggest that people with autism are able to process globally when they are instructed to do so however they process information locally when no such instructions are offered Mottron et al 1999 Plaisted et al 1999 Rinehart et al 2000 9 Autistic people have also questioned the theory of WCC One of the criticisms is that the context deemed universal by the researchers might not at all be so universal from a rational point of view In her blog Alyric devotes an article to Central Coherence There are differences in the kinds of big picture here obviously One refers to systems and the others of the kind that Frith and Happe automatically assumed to be universal have an essential social element 10 Naja Melan claims that neurotypical people are often biased to overemphasize one context and neglecting all other contexts This he states is an expression of WCC as compared to autists who have the possibility of consciously focusing on multiple contexts if deemed appropriate by them or requested 11 See also EditAsperger syndrome Sensory processing disorder Theory of mindReferences Edit Autism Explaining the Enigma 1989 Frith Uta 2008 Weak central coherence p 90ff Autism A Very Short Introduction Oxford University Press ISBN 978 0 1992 0756 5 Happe F Frith U 2006 The Weak Coherence Account Detail focused Cognitive Style in Autism Spectrum Disorders Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Springer Science Business Media 36 1 5 25 doi 10 1007 s10803 005 0039 0 PMID 16450045 S2CID 14999943 1 Natasja van Lang 2003 Autism spectrum disorders a study of symptom domains and weak central coherence p 59 reference for the paragraph starting with In the last decade Sally Ozonoff David L Strayer William M McMahon Francis Filloux 1994 Executive Function Abilities in Autism and Tourette Syndrome An Information Processing Approach Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 35 6 1015 1032 doi 10 1111 j 1469 7610 1994 tb01807 x Laurent Mottron Jacob A Burack Johannes E A Stauder Philippe Robaey 1999 Perceptual Processing among High functioning Persons with Autism Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 40 2 203 211 doi 10 1111 1469 7610 00433 Laurent Mottron Jacob A Burack Grace Iarocci Sylvie Belleville James T Enns 2003 Locally oriented perception with intact global processing among adolescents with high functioning autism evidence from multiple paradigms Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 44 6 904 913 doi 10 1111 1469 7610 00174 Beatriz Lopez Susan R Leekam 2003 Do children with autism fail to process information in context Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 44 2 285 300 doi 10 1111 1469 7610 00121 2 Natasja van Lang 2003 Autism spectrum disorders a study of symptom domains and weak central coherence p 59 3 Alyric 2005 the A Muse Part 1 The Drive for Central Coherence Melan Naja 2006 Autism for psychologists Archived from the original on 29 March 2010 Retrieved 2018 09 01 External links Editin cities com An interview with Professor Uta Frith March 2005 UCDavis edu Uta Frith Ph D M I N D Institute Distinguished Lecturer Series February 8 2006 Hypnosisschool org Summary of Global and Local processes Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Weak central coherence theory amp oldid 1137798580, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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