Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T12:18:17.054Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Embodied simulation and the meaning of facial expression in autism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 December 2010

Kris Evers
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, University of Leuven (K.U. Leuven), Belgium. [email protected] Child Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University of Leuven (K.U. Leuven), Belgium. [email protected] Leuven Autism Research Consortium (LAuRes), University of Leuven (K.U. Leuven), Belgium. [email protected]
Ilse Noens
Affiliation:
Centre for Parenting, Child Welfare and Disabilities, University of Leuven (K.U. Leuven), Belgium. [email protected] Leuven Autism Research Consortium (LAuRes), University of Leuven (K.U. Leuven), Belgium. [email protected]
Jean Steyaert
Affiliation:
Child Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University of Leuven (K.U. Leuven), Belgium. [email protected] Leuven Autism Research Consortium (LAuRes), University of Leuven (K.U. Leuven), Belgium. [email protected]
Johan Wagemans
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, University of Leuven (K.U. Leuven), Belgium. [email protected] Leuven Autism Research Consortium (LAuRes), University of Leuven (K.U. Leuven), Belgium. [email protected]

Abstract

We outline three possible shortcomings of the SIMS model and specify these by applying the model to autism. First, the SIMS model assigns a causal role to brain processes, thereby excluding individual and situational factors. Second, there is no room for subjective and high-level conceptual processes in the model. Third, disentangling the different stages in the model is very difficult.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Amaral, D. G., Schumann, C. M. & Nordahl, C. W. (2008) Neuroanatomy of autism. Trends in Neurosciences 31:137–45.Google Scholar
Bourgeron, T. (2009) A synaptic trek to autism. Current Opinion in Neurobiology 19:231–34.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rizzolatti, G. & Fabbri-Destro, M. (2008) The mirror neuron system and its role in social cognition. Current Opinion in Neurobiology 18:179–84.Google Scholar
Tager-Flusberg, H. (2007) Evaluating the theory-of-mind hypothesis of autism. Current Directions in Psychological Science 16:311–15.Google Scholar