Kurt Goldstein’s critique of Leo Kanner: understanding autism as an impairment of the abstract attitude

ABSTRACT

The author argues for a functionalist understanding of autism. Instead of explaining autism as an inborn or otherwise neurological deficit, autism may be understood as a functional disturbance: the impairment of the abstract attitude. The abstract attitude is a concept developed by German neuropsychiatrist Kurt Goldstein (1987–1965) to describe severe behavioural disturbances in brain-injury, frontal lobotomy, and psychosis (Goldstein, K., & Scheerer, M. (1941). Abstract and concrete behaviour: An experimental study with special tests. Psychological Monographs, 53(2), 1–151). The abstract attitude involves volition, will, and perspective, and is necessary for humans to understand and communicate through language or make judgements and evaluations. One finds in the abstract attitude an important aspect of being human (Goldstein, K. (1959). Abnormal mental conditions in infancy. Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases, 128(6), 538–557). Contemporary research that supports Goldstein's thesis is presented, as well as the promise of child-centered play therapy for autism treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• Autism
• Kurt Goldstein
• play therapy
• functionalism
• abstract attitude
• humanistic psychology

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Patrick Whitehead

Patrick Whitehead is associate professor of psychology and author of five books including Existential Health Psychology: The Blind Spot in Healthcare (Palgrave Pivot: 2019).