There is disagreement in the literature about the exact nature of the phenomenon of empathy. There are emotional, cogni- tive, and conditioning views, applying in varying degrees across species. An adequate description of the ultimate and proximate mecha- nism can integrate these views. Proximately, the perception of an object's state activates the subject's corresponding representations, which in turn activate somatic and autonomic responses. This mechanism supports basic behaviors (e.g., alarm, social facilitation, vicar- iousness of emotions, mother-infant responsiveness, and the modeling of competitors and predators) that are crucial for the reproduc- tive success of animals living in groups. The Perception-Action Model (PAM), together with an understanding of how representations change with experience, can explain the major empirical effects in the literature (similarity, familiarity, past experience, explicit teach- ing, and salience). It can also predict a variety of empathy disorders. The interaction between the PAM and prefrontal functioning can also explain different levels of empathy across species and age groups. This view can advance our evolutionary understanding of empa- thy beyond inclusive fitness and reciprocal altruism and can explain different levels of empathy across individuals, species, stages of de- velopment, and situations.

/pdf/empathy-its-ultimate-and-proximate-bases-3gnr9okjki.pdf

Empathy: Its ultimate and proximate bases.

Doing Qualitative Research

Part I: The Basic Account. 1. Language and Cognition: Constructing an Alternative Approach Within the Behavioral Tradition S.C. Hayes, et al. 2. Derived Relational Responding as Learned Behavior S.C. Hayes, et al. 3. Multiple Stimulus Relations and the Transformation of Stimulus Functions D. Barnes-Holmes, et al. 4. Relations Among Relations: Analogies, Metaphors, and Stories I. Stewart, et al. 5. Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Pragmatic Verbal Analysis S.C. Hayes, et al. 6. Understanding and Verbal Regulation D. Barnes-Holmes, et al. 7. Self and Self-Directed Rules D. Barnes-Holmes, et al. 8. Relational Frame Theory: A Precis S.C. Hayes, et al. Part II: Extensions and Applications. 9. Psychological Development Y. Barnes-Holmes, et al. 10. Education Y. Barnes-Holmes, et al. 11. Social Processes B. Roche, et al. 12. Psychopathology and Psychotherapy K.G. Wilson, et al. 13. Religion, Spirituality, and Transcendence D. Barnes-Holmes, et al. Epilogue. References. Index.

Relational Frame Theory: A Post-Skinnerian Account Of Human Language And Cognition

A relatively simple model of the phonological loop (A. D. Baddeley, 1986), a component of working memory, has proved capable of accommodating a great deal of experimental evidence from normal adult participants, children, and neuropsychological patients. Until recently, however, the role of this subsystem in everyday cognitive activities was unclear. In this article the authors review studies of word learning by normal adults and children, neuropsychological patients, and special developmental populations, which provide evidence that the phonological loop plays a crucial role in learning the novel phonological forms of new words. The authors propose that the primary purpose for which the phonological loop evolved is to store unfamiliar sound patterns while more permanent memory records are being constructed. Its use in retaining sequences of familiar words is, it is argued,

/pdf/the-phonological-loop-as-a-language-learning-device-484uirmmjo.pdf

The phonological loop as a language learning device.

https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(06)69041-7.pdf

Prevalence of disorders of the autism spectrum in a population cohort of children in South Thames: the Special Needs and Autism Project (SNAP).

Background 
Little is known about trajectories of cognitive functioning as individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) move though adulthood.
 
Method
 
The present study investigated cognitive, linguistic and adaptive functioning in adults with WS aged 19-55 years, using both cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches.
 
Results
 
Data from the cross-sectional study (n = 92; mean age = 32 years) indicated that IQ was comparable across age groups (Full-Scale IQ mean = 56-57) with Verbal IQ being slightly higher than Performance IQ. Daily Living Skills (as measured by the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales) were significantly higher in older individuals. Language abilities showed no consistent age-related differences. On formal tests of language, comprehension scores were higher than expressive language scores for almost all individuals, although this pattern was not replicated on the Vineland. In the longitudinal study, a follow-up of 47 individuals (mean age = 37 years) first assessed 12 years previously, similar trajectories were found. IQ remained very stable (FSIQ = 61-62 at both time points); there were significant improvements on the Social and Daily Living domains of the Vineland and significant decreases in Maladaptive scores. There were no improvements in language over time.
 
Conclusions
 
The data indicate that adults with WS (at least up to the age of 50 years) show no evidence of deterioration in cognitive skills. Adaptive abilities continue to develop although language shows relatively little improvement with time.

Cognitive, Linguistic and Adaptive Functioning in Williams Syndrome: Trajectories from Early to Middle Adulthood

Young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a high prevalence (~40 %) of anxiety disorders compared to their non-ASD peers. It is unclear whether cognitive and biological processes associated with anxiety in ASD are analogous to anxiety in typically developing (TD) populations. In this study 55 boys with ASD (34 with a co-occurring anxiety disorder, 21 without) and 28 male controls, aged 10-16 years and with a full-scale IQ ≥ 70, completed a series of clinical, cognitive (attention bias/interpretation bias) and biological measures (salivary cortisol/HR response to social stress) associated with anxiety in TD populations. Structural equation modelling was used to reveal that that both attentional biases and physiological responsiveness were significant, but unrelated, predictors of anxiety in ASD.

/pdf/dual-cognitive-and-biological-correlates-of-anxiety-in-3e12lm4qcd.pdf

Dual Cognitive and Biological Correlates of Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

A Practical Guide to Autism: What Every Parent, Family Member and Teacher Needs to Know

An 8-year-old girl with Turner syndrome and 45,X/48,X,r (X) mosaicism was found to have agenesis of the corpus callosum and various other characteristics including ‘kabuki makeup’ facial features and mild learning disability. Only two other cases of Turner syndrome associated with agenesis of the corpus callosum have been reported, both in patients with a 45,X karyotype. In both of those patients the constellation of signs differed from those of the present patient in a number of ways. It remains to be confirmed whether there is a higher incidence of CNS malformation in girls who have Turner syndrome with a ring X than has been reported for girls with Turner syndrome in general.

Agenesis of the corpus cállosum in Turner syndrome with ring X

In the seven decades since Kanner first published his original reports on individuals with autism, there have been many thousands of publications on the topic. From early case studies, the field has moved on to increasingly sophisticated studies of animal models, brain structures and functions, genetic models, diagnostic systems, and intervention trials. However, one area remains woefully under researched—life for adults with autism. Several recent reports have highlighted the very small number of publications specifically focusing on adults (Bishop-Fitzpatrick et al., 2013; Henninger and Taylor, 2013; Piven et al., 2011; Shattuck et al., 2011). Systematic reviews have also noted the poor quality of much of the research that has been conducted, particularly with regard to intervention (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2012; Taylor et al., 2012).

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1362361315595582

Patricia Howlin

Papers

Cognitive, Linguistic and Adaptive Functioning in Williams Syndrome: Trajectories from Early to Middle Adulthood

Dual Cognitive and Biological Correlates of Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

A Practical Guide to Autism: What Every Parent, Family Member and Teacher Needs to Know

Agenesis of the corpus cállosum in Turner syndrome with ring X

Addressing the need for high quality research on autism in adulthood