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Asperger's syndrome: Difference between revisions
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→Evolutionary theories of autism
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It could be that autism is largely a result of impaired brain regions that normally mediate social behavior, but a number of theories have been proposed that aspects of autism could be adaptive, meaning that it or related behavior patterns may have increased [[reproductive success]] in the past. | It could be that autism is largely a result of impaired brain regions that normally mediate social behavior, but a number of theories have been proposed that aspects of autism could be adaptive, meaning that it or related behavior patterns may have increased [[reproductive success]] in the past. | ||
One theory suggests ASD represents a 'failed' male evolutionary mating strategy | One theory suggests ASD represents a 'failed' male evolutionary mating strategy compared to the much more sexually successful counterparts ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and ASPD (Anti-Social Personality Disorder, commonly known as 'psychopathy') which all three are somewhat similar in their etiology and pathology.<ref name="risktol">https://www.academia.edu/36525083/ADHD_Autism_and_Psychopathy_as_Life_Strategies_The_Role_of_Risk_Tolerance_on_Evolutionary_Fitness</ref> All three disorders have low empathy in common. ADHD and ASPD in particular have a low arousal threshold (less or no fear, desire for extreme stimulation, very low inhibition) in common. Low empathy and arousal thresholds (i.e. higher activity levels) are likely adaptive in males, as they facilitate gaining dominance status and therefore access to women.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/BlackPillScience/comments/bnnr6r/teenage_boys_with_adhd_are_much_more_successful/</ref><ref>https://incels.wiki/w/Scientific_Blackpill#On_average.2C_women_are_attracted_to_the_Dark_Triad.E2.80.94narcissism.2C_manipulativeness.2C_.26_psychopathy</ref> | ||
ASD males, do have low empathy, but a high arousal threshold | ASD males, do have low empathy, so they are hyper-masculine in that regard, but they have a ''high'' arousal threshold as they easily get overstimulated and then withdraw from dominance competitions.<ref name="risktol"></ref> This may, in part, explain, the poor reproductive success of autists.<ref>https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40806-019-00213-0</ref> | ||
In a similar vein, Overskied (2016) argued that many powerful politicians throughout recent history, such as the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former US president Lyndon B Johnson, and the former South African president Nelson Mandela, among many others, exhibited significant subclinical autistic traits, and argued increase in male [[reproductive success]] associated with this status could explain some of the apparent increase in the prevalence of ASD in recent times. Overskied attempted to explain the discrepancy in the diagnosis of the disorder by sex by noting the reproductive success associated with high status is typically only found in men, with women's high status decreasing their reproductive success. He claims these subclinical autistic behaviors shared a common cause with actual autism, pre-natal [[testosterone]] exposure, per Baron-Cohen's extreme male brain theory. He also stated that the high cortisol levels often found in autistics may serve to inhibit the expression of such socially dominant behaviors in them, whereas the powerful figures he claimed exhibited sub-clinical autistic traits may not be subject to such high cortisol levels.<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5005963/</ref> | In a similar vein, Overskied (2016) argued that many powerful politicians throughout recent history, such as the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former US president Lyndon B Johnson, and the former South African president Nelson Mandela, among many others, exhibited significant subclinical autistic traits, and argued increase in male [[reproductive success]] associated with this status could explain some of the apparent increase in the prevalence of ASD in recent times. Overskied attempted to explain the discrepancy in the diagnosis of the disorder by sex by noting the reproductive success associated with high status is typically only found in men, with women's high status decreasing their reproductive success. He claims these subclinical autistic behaviors shared a common cause with actual autism, pre-natal [[testosterone]] exposure, per Baron-Cohen's extreme male brain theory. He also stated that the high cortisol levels often found in autistics may serve to inhibit the expression of such socially dominant behaviors in them, whereas the powerful figures he claimed exhibited sub-clinical autistic traits may not be subject to such high cortisol levels.<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5005963/</ref> | ||