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Have we outgrown the reduced social motivation theory of autism?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 July 2019

Kristen Gillespie-Lynch Open the ORCID record for Kristen Gillespie-Lynch [Opens in a new window]
Kristen Gillespie-Lynch*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, College of Staten Island, CUNY, Staten Island, NY 10314; The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY 10016. kgillyn@gmail.com
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Abstract

Although refreshing, Jaswal & Akhtar's critique of the reduced social motivation theory omits reference to Asperger's work and to changes in the diagnostic criteria over time. I situate the theory in the historical contexts that shaped – and eventually contradicted – it to highlight its dehumanizing aspects while emphasizing that critiques should be rooted in recognition of the diversity of the spectrum.

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Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 42 , 2019 , e91
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Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019 

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