Exploring how material cues drive sensorimotor prediction across different levels of autistic-like traits

Tom Arthur, Sam Vine, Mark Brosnan, Gavin Buckingham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Recent research proposes that sensorimotor difficulties, such as those experienced by many autistic people, may arise from atypicalities in prediction. Accordingly, we examined the relationship between non-clinical autistic-like traits and sensorimotor prediction in the material-weight illusion, where prior expectations derived from material cues typically bias one’s perception and action. Specifically, prediction-related tendencies in perception of weight, gaze patterns, and lifting actions were probed using a combination of self-report, eye-tracking, motion-capture, and force-based measures. No prediction-related associations between autistic-like traits and sensorimotor control emerged for any of these variables. Follow-up analyses, however, revealed that greater autistic-like traits were correlated with reduced adaptation of gaze with changes in environmental uncertainty. These findings challenge proposals of gross predictive atypicalities in autistic people, but suggest that the dynamic integration of prior information and environmental statistics may be related to autistic-like traits. Further research into this relationship is warranted in autistic populations, to assist the development of future movement-based coaching methods.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2255-2267
Number of pages13
JournalExperimental Brain Research
Volume237
Issue number9
Early online date27 Jun 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2019

Funding

Acknowledgements TA was supported with a South-West Doctoral Training Partnership Ph.D. studentship, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.

Keywords

  • Autism
  • Grip force
  • Movement
  • Object lifting
  • Weight illusion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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