Emotion recognition of static and dynamic faces in autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

There is substantial evidence for facial emotion recognition (FER) deficits in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The extent of this impairment, however, remains unclear, and there is some suggestion that clinical groups might benefit from the use of dynamic rather than static images. High-functioning individuals with ASD (n = 36) and typically developing controls (n = 36) completed a computerised FER task involving static and dynamic expressions of the six basic emotions. The ASD group showed poorer overall performance in identifying anger and disgust and were disadvantaged by dynamic (relative to static) stimuli when presented with sad expressions. Among both groups, however, dynamic stimuli appeared to improve recognition of anger. This research provides further evidence of specific impairment in the recognition of negative emotions in ASD, but argues against any broad advantages associated with the use of dynamic displays.

Keywords:

• Autism
• Asperger's disorder
• Facial emotion recognition
• Dynamic faces

The authors wish to thank all those who took part in the study and those who assisted with participant recruitment, including Dr Tony Attwood, Ms. Tracel Devereux (Alpha Autism), Dr Richard Eisenmajer, Mr. Dennis Freeman (Wesley College Melbourne), Ms. Pam Langford, Dr Kerryn Saunders, Ms. Linke Smedts-Kreskas (S.P.O.C.A.A.S.), Autism Victoria, A4, Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT) and the Asperger Syndrome Support Network. The authors also thank Ms. Sara Arnold for assistance with manuscript preparation.

The authors wish to thank all those who took part in the study and those who assisted with participant recruitment, including Dr Tony Attwood, Ms. Tracel Devereux (Alpha Autism), Dr Richard Eisenmajer, Mr. Dennis Freeman (Wesley College Melbourne), Ms. Pam Langford, Dr Kerryn Saunders, Ms. Linke Smedts-Kreskas (S.P.O.C.A.A.S.), Autism Victoria, A4, Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT) and the Asperger Syndrome Support Network. The authors also thank Ms. Sara Arnold for assistance with manuscript preparation.

Notes

¹ A comprehensive review of the entire literature, including neuroimaging and electrophysiology, is beyond the scope of this study, but see (Harms et al., 2010) for an excellent recent review.