Attention can be divided into stability versus flexibility. Switching between these two is needed for adaptive behavior. It requires blocking distractions from our current goals (stability), and...Show moreAttention can be divided into stability versus flexibility. Switching between these two is needed for adaptive behavior. It requires blocking distractions from our current goals (stability), and simultaneously switching between alternating demands of our environment (flexibility). People with autism are generally less flexible and therefore more stable in attention. (Cognitive) flexibility is an important predictor of the quality of life for people with autism. To add, most people with autism have trouble with social skills, though some research in non-clinical populations show a relationship between social skills and quality of life. Interventions for improving cognitive flexibility in people with autism mainly focus on improving social skills. Yet, there is little evidence for this relationship, especially in people with autism. Therefore, the hypothesis in this study was: “There is a positive relationship between social skills and cognitive flexibility. This relationship may be different across levels of autism traits”. The outcome will help to find out if social skills are indeed predictors of flexibility and stability in attention and thus, if interventions for improving cognitive flexibility in people with autism should focus on social problems. The participants in this study (N=101) responded to an autism questionnaire (which measures social problems and autism traits) and participated in a task switch experiment (to calculate the switch-cost). Results of the ANOVA show a non-significant relationship between social problems and switch-cost (F (1,90) = 3.569, p=0.062) (in reaction time). When looking at switch-cost on error rates however, there is a significant relationship between social problems and switch-cost (F (1,90) = 5.018, p = 0.028). People with lower social skills have a lower error rate than people with high social problems. The relationship between social problems and cognitive flexibility does not differ between levels of autism. The hypothesis is rejected. The results show a speed-accuracy tradeoff (longer reaction time means higher accuracy). This study shows that there is limited evidence on the relationship between social problems and cognitive flexibility in people who score high versus low on traits of autism. More research is needed into this topic to find out if this relationship is found in a larger population and in a clinical population. For now, interventions targeted at social problems alone do not seem to be sufficient for people with autism to improve their cognitive flexibility. This may ultimately help to establish more appropriate interventions.Show less
