Choice Switching and Autism

Summary

The study aims to replicate and clarify a recently observed phenomenon whereby individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) switch between options in a repeated task to a greater extent than healthy controls do. In a meta-analysis a large effect size was found (.37) yet because the effect was noisy in different studies it was not statistically significant. The investigators seek to first examine a very large population through an Internet mediated platform. The sample size will be about the size of all of the previous studies that examined this issue together. Secondly, the investigators wish to understand the discrepancy between this choice switching phenomenon and the recorded tendency of ASD individuals to avoid changing choices. First, the investigators will administer the task in which the effect was found (the Iowa Gambling task) for a longer duration than previously and evaluate whether ASD individuals show increased choice switching in the first blocks of trials but reduced switching following more experience. Secondly, the investigators will administer an additional block of trials without feedback in which participants will not be able to go through a learning process. The investigators predict that this will reduce (and possible flip) the tendency of individuals with ASD to switch choices more often.

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Pre-screening

Document upload of Autism diagnosis certificate. Participants can request to show their certificate via a Zoom meeting with the researcher instead of uploading it.

BEHAVIORAL

Task session

The Iowa Gambling task- four decks of cards on the computer screen. Each card yields a reward, but might also yield a loss. In each trial, the participant selects a card. Consequently, the card is exposed, displaying the gain and the loss for that trial. Through contingent feedback, participants are expected to learn that some deck are better than others.The task will include 120 trials. Block of trials without feedback- four decks of cards on the computer screen. Each card yields a reward, but might also yield a loss. In each trial, the participant selects a card. Consequently, the card is exposed, but the gain and the loss for that trial are not displayed. The task will include 30 trials. Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd Edition (SRS-2; adult-self report):(Constantino \& Gruber, 2012) The brief autism quotient scale:(AQ10; Baron-Cohen et al., 2001) Brief intelligence test (Similarities-MAB + Raven Set 1)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Technion, Israel Institute of Technology

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Dana Zeif, MSc · Technion, Israel Institute of Technology

• Ofir Yakobi, PhD · University of Waterloo

• Eldad Yechaim, Professor · Technion, Israel Institute of Technology

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-01-01

Primary Completion

2021-08-13

Completion

2021-09-13

Countries

• Israel

Study Locations