Does the study of autism justify minimalist innate modularity?

Journal/Book: Learn Individ Differ. 1998; 10: PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands. Elsevier Science Bv. 179-191.

Abstract: Innate modularity is a central question for cognitive neuroscience. One proposal is that a ''theory of mind'' is a species-specific (human) example of an innate module. The genetic, neurodevelopmental, psychiatric condition of autism is considered in terms of the innate modularity claim. At the opposite extreme, explanations of autism in ter ms of deficits in a general learning mechanism are considered. It is concluded that both of these theories may be untenable, and instead there may be some justification for an intermediate model of social perception: minimalist innate modularity.

Note: Article Baron-Cohen S, Univ Cambridge, Dept Expt Psychol, Downing St, Cambridge CB2 3EB, ENGLAND

Keyword(s): ASPERGER-SYNDROME; NORMAL-CHILDREN; NORMAL ADULTS; MIND; INDIVIDUALS; UNDERSTAND; LANGUAGE; DEFICITS; PLAY; RECOGNITION

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