University of Hertfordshire Research Archive

        JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

        Browse

        All of UHRABy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitles

        Arkivum Files

        My Downloads
        View Item 
        • UHRA Home
        • University of Hertfordshire
        • Research publications
        • View Item
        • UHRA Home
        • University of Hertfordshire
        • Research publications
        • View Item

        Empathy Dysfunction: Deconstructing social functioning in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Conduct Disorder

        Author
        Ludlow, Amanda
        Reniers, Renate
        Vilas Sanz, Sara
        Attention
        2299/18085
        Abstract
        Empathy is a multidimensional construct that can be understood as the ability to be perceptive of and vicariously experience the feelings of other people (affective components of empathy), while at the same time being able to build a working model of their emotional states (cognitive components of empathy). The ability to empathize has critical social functions in that it helps us to respond appropriately to perceived feelings of others, thereby facilitating successful social interaction. The importance of empathy is particularly apparent in disorders on the autism spectrum, where the ability to form social relationships and communicate with others is impaired. In addition, empathy is considered to be equally crucial in conduct disorder, which is characterized by reduced responsiveness to the distress of others in association with callous-unemotional traits. While both disorders are thought to be characterized by problems in empathy, social interaction and adaptation, these disorders reflect distinct problems in relationship to others within a social milieu. Individuals with either condition can appear uncaring and poorly attuned towards others, suggesting that empathy dysfunction should be considered one of the hallmarks to both conditions. It has been suggested that individuals with autism spectrum disorders show more difficulties with cognitive empathy but less so with affective empathy. In clear contrast, it has been argued that individuals diagnosed with conduct disorder demonstrate low affective empathy and normal levels of cognitive empathy in that they show relatively preserved ability to understand other people's states of mind but do not share or care about these feelings. This chapter addresses empathy dysfunction observed in disorders on the autism spectrum and conduct disorder. Mechanisms associated with empathy dysfunction are discussed and common and differentiating factors between the disorders are identified. In particular, four mechanisms vital for an appropriate empathetic experience are treated: shared affect, emotion recognition, perspective taking and self-other differentiation. Implications for social functioning of these individuals are discussed.
        Publication date
        2016-02-01
        Published in
        Psychology and Neurobiology of Empathy
        Other links
        http://hdl.handle.net/2299/18085
        Metadata
        Show full item record
        Keep in touch

        © 2019 University of Hertfordshire

        I want to...

        • Apply for a course
        • Download a Prospectus
        • Find a job at the University
        • Make a complaint
        • Contact the Press Office

        Go to...

        • Accommodation booking
        • Your student record
        • Bayfordbury
        • KASPAR
        • UH Arts

        The small print

        • Terms of use
        • Privacy and cookies
        • Criminal Finances Act 2017
        • Modern Slavery Act 2015
        • Sitemap

        Find/Contact us

        • T: +44 (0)1707 284000
        • E: ask@herts.ac.uk
        • Where to find us
        • Parking
        • hr
        • qaa
        • stonewall
        • AMBA
        • ECU Race Charter
        • disability confident
        • AthenaSwan