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Accounting for the preference for literal meanings in autism spectrum conditions
Author(s) -
Vicente Agustín,
Falkum Ingrid Lossius
Publication year - 2023
Publication title -
mind and language
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.905
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1468-0017
pISSN - 0268-1064
DOI - 10.1111/mila.12371
Subject(s) - neurotypical , literal (mathematical logic) , autism , psychology , preference , cognitive psychology , autism spectrum disorder , social psychology , developmental psychology , linguistics , philosophy , economics , microeconomics
Pragmatic difficulties are considered a hallmark of autism spectrum conditions (ASC), but remain poorly understood. We discuss and evaluate existing hypotheses regarding the literalism of ASC individuals, that is, their tendency for literal interpretations of non‐literal communicative intentions. We present evidence that reveals a developmental stage at which neurotypical children also have a tendency for literalism and suggest an explanation for such behaviour that links it to other behavioural, rule‐following, patterns typical of that age. We discuss evidence showing that strict adherence to rules is also widespread in ASC, and suggest that literalism might be linked to such rule‐following behaviour.