children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The primary goal of this article is to investigate if children with Autism Spectrum Disorder are less inclined to conform than ordinarily developing youngsters. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental or neurological disorder that begins in childhood and lasts throughout a person's life (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Second, this paper will address social conformity and how it pertains to pupils suffering from the aforementioned illness.
Social conformity, in general, refers to a change in belief/behavior in an individual or a community as a result of positive influence (Cinnirella & Green, 2007). According to a research that was conducted by different Social Psychologists, it was found out that social factors have the capability to change one’s emotions, conducts and inner thoughts. Some of the main psychologists who propagated studies on Social Conformity are Solomon Asch and Muzafer Sherif. It is also important to note that as a basic principle of psychology, conformity has been defined as an understanding of how nearness of other individuals can compel a person to disregard their own person beliefs and embrace those of others (Asch, 1952).

This can be seen through the nineteenth century studies conducted by Solomon Asch and Muzafer Sherif, where they examined the wonders of conformity and the resulting consequences on human conduct. Today, conformity can still be seen universally, whether in collective societies or individualistic ones (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). However, within recent years, there has been a rise in the number of individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the recent years, there has been a rise in the number of people suffering from ASD. Some of the main symptoms of this disorder include; having difficulties in Social interaction, communication challenges, tendency to engage in repetitive behaviors (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Basically, it is safe to state the fact that this disorder affects/impairs with the functioning skills such as interaction with other people and the choice of language (Cinnirella & Green, 2007). Given these symptoms, there have been questions about whether or not individuals with ASD succumb to conformity at the same rate as regularly developing individuals. Researchers, Abdul-Fattah Yafai, Diarmuid Verrier, and Lisa Reid, conducted an experiment to further examine this question. In order to understand and complete on this assignment, some of the key words that ought to be understood are Autism Quotient, children, conformity and autism spectrum disorder. Below is a brief detailed analysis of the method that was used to conduct the results and prove whether or not children with ASD are likely to conform than typically developing children.

METHOD

Conducting the experiment was a very slow but sure process. Basically, the research involved at least 32 participants from three different primary schools from the North of England. Most of them were aged between 2 – 6 years (Asch, 1952). Out of the 32 participants, one student was excluded from the research process since they did not complete the practice trials stage successfully. Out of the remaining participants, 28 were boys while 2 were girls (Asch, 1952). Through the use of a method known as the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders 15 participants were found to have high functioning Autism while the other 15 were individually matched for age, gender, literacy and numeracy. The following is a table that can be used to describe on the matching variables mentioned above.







The main materials that was used in the research are the Stimuli and AQ. When we look at this study, child friendly equivalents that relate to the plain line stimuli were used by Asch. Basically, the Stimuli was made up of images that were colorfully drawn (Asch, 1952). Some of the main objects/animals that were presented in the drawings were carrots, ladders, snakes and giraffes. The main reason why these objects were chosen is the fact that their length can be manipulated without distorting their shape and image. When we look AQ, it comprises of at least 50 questions that are divided evenly into five scales. In this case, the responses are on a 4 –point scale. Generally, the AQ version indicates that people who have a score of 32+ have a diagnosis of a high functioning Autism /Asperger Syndrome (Asch, 1952). After conducting the whole research process, this are the results as to whether children with ASD are likely to conform than typically developing children.





RESULTS

Generally, in order for the research process to be successful Asch used a child – friendly stimuli so that he can acquire good results (Asch, 1952). From the research, it was identified that children with autism are unlikely to conform when compared to other people. Some of the main reasons behind this traits is as a result of social pressure and the fact that most of the autistic traits are negatively associated with conformity (Asch, 1952). In details, attention is very important. When we look at Asch’s research, it was found out that attention is very crucial when it comes to supporting responses to the stimuli in reference to social pressure.

Social pressure is a synonym for peer pressure. Basically this refers to direct influence on people who belong to the same peer (Asch, 1952). In this case, from the research, it is quite safe to state the fact that children with ASD are less likely to be directly influenced by other people who belong to their peers. Based on the research, children who do not suffer from ASD are likely to conform. Practically, this means that normal children are much more likely to conform. Since children with ASD are unlikely to be influenced by the behavior of other people in the Society, there results are unlikely to be undefined (Asch, 1952). This means that their school performances, abilities and behaviors is self – determined. This is the main reason as to why children with autistic traits have a high, albeit subthreshold while the diagnosed group has very low scores.









IMPLICATIONS AND CRITIQUE

Generally, based from the results in the experiment conducted by Asch, it is safe to state the fact that children with ASD are unlikely to conform to others due factors such as social pressure or peer pressure. As much as this research may be seen to be reliable, it is safe to state the fact that it has it flaws too. In future, the research ought to focus on linking the existing rich literature with the conformity. It should also focus on what most people think as compared to the use of a single adult reporting, this will ensure much more credible and useful information and results.

























References

American Psychiatric Association (2013) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

Asch SE (1952) Effects of group pressure upon the modification and distortion of judgment. In: Guetzkow H (ed.) Groups, Leadership and Men (pp. 177–190). Pittsburgh, PA: Carnegie Press.

Cinnirella M and Green B (2007) Does ‘cyber-conformity’ vary cross-culturally? Exploring the effect of culture and communication medium on social conformity. Computers in Human Behavior 23(4): 2011–2025.