Characteristics of cognitive empathy and affective empathy in pupils with high levels of autistic traits
10.3969/j.issn.1000-6729.2025.02.10
- VernacularTitle:高孤独特质小学生的认知共情和情感共情特点
- Author:
Beilin LE
1
;
Yan GAO
;
Youhong XIE
;
Yi WANG
;
CHAN Raymond CK
Author Information
1. 神经心理学与应用认知神经科学实验室,中国科学院心理健康重点实验室(中国科学院心理研究所),北京 100101;中国科学院大学心理系,北京 100049
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
autistic traits;
social cognition;
cognitive empathy;
affective empathy;
theory of mind
- From:
Chinese Mental Health Journal
2025;39(2):164-168
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the characteristics of social cognition function in the cognitive and affective dimensions of empathy and theory of mind of pupils with high levels of autistic traits.Methods:One hundred and seventy-four elementary school fifth-grade pupils were recruited and divided into high(n=43)and low(n=43)levels of autistic traits groups based on their Autism Spectrum Quotient(AQ)scores(high level≥25 and low lev-el ≤18).Both two groups completed the Questionnaire of Cognitive and Affective Empathy(QCAE)and Interper-sonal Reactivity Index(IRI),as well as the Patient Health Questionnaire and also completed the Yoni and Faux Pas Tasks to examine theory of mind.Results:Compared with the low autistic traits group,the high autistic traits group exhibited significantly lower scores on both the Cognitive and Affective subscales of QCAE(Ps＜0.01).However,there were no significant differences between the high and low autistic traitsgroups in cognitive and affective theory of mind as assessed with the Yoni and Faux Pas Tasks(Ps＞0.05).Conclusion:Pupils with high levels of autistic traits may exhibit significant difference in both cognitive and affective empathy but not in theory of mind comparing to pupils with low levels of autistic traits.
