6,468
edits
Asperger's syndrome: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
m
→Relationship between ASD and behavioral androgyny
| Line 66: | Line 66: | ||
In seeming contradiction to the "extreme male brain" theory of the etiology of ASD, there is also some evidence that ASD is associated with behavioral androgyny in both sexes. However, as stated above, the theory does not claim that those with ASD are more "masculine" in a sense that accords with cultural/biological definitions of masculinity. Merely that exposure to excessive levels of androgens in the pre-natal environment is one of the main causes of the disorder, and that this androgen exposure is associated with traits that masculinize the brain of those with ASD in certain contexts, such as causing less empathy and/or a greater tendency toward systemizing (e.g. an extreme exaggeration of the general male tendency to be interested in "things" instead of "people"<ref>https://www.researchgate.net/publication/38061313_Men_and_Things_Women_and_People_A_Meta-Analysis_of_Sex_Differences_in_Interests</ref><ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166361/</ref>). | In seeming contradiction to the "extreme male brain" theory of the etiology of ASD, there is also some evidence that ASD is associated with behavioral androgyny in both sexes. However, as stated above, the theory does not claim that those with ASD are more "masculine" in a sense that accords with cultural/biological definitions of masculinity. Merely that exposure to excessive levels of androgens in the pre-natal environment is one of the main causes of the disorder, and that this androgen exposure is associated with traits that masculinize the brain of those with ASD in certain contexts, such as causing less empathy and/or a greater tendency toward systemizing (e.g. an extreme exaggeration of the general male tendency to be interested in "things" instead of "people"<ref>https://www.researchgate.net/publication/38061313_Men_and_Things_Women_and_People_A_Meta-Analysis_of_Sex_Differences_in_Interests</ref><ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166361/</ref>). | ||
Regarding the behavior profiles typical of those with ASD, a study published in 2014 found that, using a modified version of the Bem Sex Role Inventory, those with ASD generally | Regarding the behavior profiles typical of those with ASD, a study published in 2014 found that, using a modified version of the Bem Sex Role Inventory, those with ASD generally exhibited a more androgynous gender profile,<ref>https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0087961</ref>. This was mainly based on those with ASD generally reporting having less of a competitive drive, poorer leadership abilities and lower assertiveness. However, women with ASD reported a greater masculinized gender identity, and two thirds stated they were tomboys in childhood vs one-third of control women. | ||
Another study in 2010 found that those with ASD were 10 times more likely to be referred to a gender identity clinic than those in the general population.<ref>https://dx.doi.org/10.1007%2Fs10803-010-0935-9</ref>. This poses a problem to the extreme male brain theory of autism, because both sexes were equally likely to exhibit gender dysphoria. Whereas one would expect females to be dysphoric than males if the extreme male brain theory was true. However, the authors state that this form of gender dysphoria may be atypical, and could possibly be related to the obsessional interests often found in those in ASD. It was also found that, contrary to the majority of typical developing individuals with gender dysphoria, those in the study who exhibited both gender dysphoria and ASD were not attracted to their natal sex, but were attracted to individuals of the opposite birth sex. | Another study in 2010 found that those with ASD were 10 times more likely to be referred to a gender identity clinic than those in the general population.<ref>https://dx.doi.org/10.1007%2Fs10803-010-0935-9</ref>. This poses a problem to the extreme male brain theory of autism, because both sexes were equally likely to exhibit gender dysphoria. Whereas one would expect females to be dysphoric than males if the extreme male brain theory was true. However, the authors state that this form of gender dysphoria may be atypical, and could possibly be related to the obsessional interests often found in those in ASD. It was also found that, contrary to the majority of typical developing individuals with gender dysphoria, those in the study who exhibited both gender dysphoria and ASD were not attracted to their natal sex, but were attracted to individuals of the opposite birth sex. | ||