A differential study of the recognition of simple and cognitive emotions by autistic mentally retarded and normal adults

Abstract

Groups of autistic (n = 17) and non autistic retarded young adults (n = 17), individually matched for CA, verbal MA and sex, together with a group of normal young (n = 17), matched for CA and sex, were tested for their ability to recognize facial expressions of emotions. The autistic subjects were relatively impaired in appreciation of emotional expressions. They recognize equal the basic and cognitive emotions. However, they use more time in perception of the cognitive emotions.