Compassion is the salve that heals the wounds of hate

 

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplation, 1 line a day. 

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever.  #MentalHealth. 

Hostile Attribution Bias in Autism

Hostile attribution bias refers to the tendency to interpret others' ambiguous behaviors as having hostile intent. For instance, if someone accidentally bumps into a person with hostile attribution bias, they might assume it was done on purpose rather than an accident. This cognitive bias often leads to increased aggression and conflict in social interactions as the individual responds defensively or aggressively to perceived threats that may not actually exist.

Research on hostile attribution bias has predominantly focused on its prevalence in populations with externalizing behaviors, such as aggression and conduct disorders.  However, given the social communication challenges and the difficulty in interpreting social cues that are characteristic of autism, it is plausible that hostile attribution bias, could play a role in their social interactions.

Indeed, research suggests autistics [1] were more likely to interpret ambiguous social situations as hostile compared to their neurotypical peers. This tendency was linked to higher levels of social anxiety and other maladaptive (including aggression and SIB) behavior in these children.

However this hostile attribution bias, should not just be the attributed to the fact of disability, a.k.a, "difficulty in interpreting social cues in autism." It could well be the product of a lifetime of societal stigma and bias; exclusion, discrimination and misunderstanding. Research in social psychology supports the notion that chronic exposure to negative social experiences can shape cognitive and emotional responses. For individuals who consistently face these challenges, it is not uncommon to develop a heightened sensitivity to potential threats or hostile intentions in social interactions. They develop a lack of trust that people and systems around them will help them. This heightened sensitivity can manifest as hostile attribution bias, where even ambiguous or benign actions by others are interpreted as intentionally harmful or malicious. 

So the context of autism, individuals often face a unique set of social challenges and stigmatization, which can compound their difficulties in interpreting social cues. Studies have shown that individuals with autism are frequently subjected to social rejection, and misunderstandings [2]. 

And this stigma, exclusion and gatekeeping of opportunities for autistics tends to be even more pronounced, the more disabled you are seen, especially for autistics with externalizing behaviors and communication issues. It starts at a very early age where you are deemed incapable of learning and placed in a low expectations educational system which just deepens a self-fulfilling prophesy. You quickly learn the educators and educational system who's role was to educate and nurture you, are the often the very people who will gatekeep access to education itself.  The autistic is to blame for not improving, the onus is never on the educators or professionals involved. Autism is a huge profit making machine where millions benefit (fame, books, papers); everyone except the autistic.

These repeated negative interactions can reinforce a worldview where social threats are perceived as more prevalent, leading to increased hostile attribution bias. The combination of social communication difficulties inherent in autism and the external societal stigma creates a fertile ground for developing such cognitive biases [2], which only adds to their mental health toll. 

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Read more on Hostile Attribution Bias: [Version for Scientific/Academic Audience],  [PlainSpeak for the Lay Reader], [A Simple Definition]

Related Posts on [Neuroception], [Negative Attribution Bias] 

References

• 1. White, S. W., Ollendick, T., & Bray, B. C. (2011). College students on the autism spectrum: Prevalence and associated problems. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 15(6), 683-701.
• 2. Zablotsky, B., Bradshaw, C. P., Anderson, C. M., & Law, P. A. (2014). The association between bullying and the psychological functioning of children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 35(2), 106-116.

Compassion is the currency of humanity

 

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day. 

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever.  #MentalHealth. 

Serenity is the wholeness that comes with being in touch with all aspects of ourselves.

 

Compassion is the foundation of a life well lived

 

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day. 

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever.  #MentalHealth. 

Self Perception

Self-perception refers to how individuals perceive themselves, including their physical, cognitive, emotional, and social attributes. It involves forming an understanding of one's own characteristics, abilities, and behaviors. Self-perception can encompass both internal aspects, such as thoughts and emotions, and external aspects, such as appearance and social roles. It involves recognizing oneself as a distinct entity separate from others and the environment.

• Formation: Self-perception starts to develop early in life and continues to evolve throughout one's lifespan. It begins with self-recognition during infancy and progresses through social interactions, personal experiences, and feedback from others. As individuals engage with their environment and receive information about themselves, they construct their self-perception.

• Multifaceted Nature: Dimensions include physical attributes, such as appearance and health; cognitive aspects, such as intellectual abilities and problem-solving skills; emotional characteristics, including one's emotional states and temperament; and social aspects, such as social roles, identities, and relationships. These facets come together to form a multifaceted self-perception.

• Internal and External Factors: Internal factors, such as one's own thoughts, beliefs, and self-reflection, contribute to self-perception. For example, individuals might assess their own abilities and personality traits through introspection. External factors, on the other hand, include feedback and evaluations received from others, social comparisons, cultural norms, and societal expectations. Both internal and external factors shape and influence self-perception.

• Self-Consistency and Cognitive Dissonance: Self-perception theory suggests that individuals strive for consistency between their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. When there is a mismatch between one's self-perception and their actions, cognitive dissonance arises, leading individuals to seek alignment. This can result in changes in self-perception or adjustments in behavior to restore consistency.
• Self-Esteem and Self-Perception: Self-perception and self-esteem are closely intertwined. Self-esteem refers to an individual's overall evaluation and subjective feelings of self-worth. Positive self-perception, where individuals perceive themselves favorably in various domains, tends to contribute to higher self-esteem. Conversely, negative self-perception can lead to lower self-esteem and negative self-evaluations.
• Contextual and Cultural Influences:  Cultural values, beliefs, and socialization practices shape how individuals perceive themselves and what aspects they prioritize in their self-perception. 

Owl sighting

On a tree branch, the owl sits tight,

Watching all with wide eyes bright!

saw an owl scoop down and then fly up to perch on a backyard tree yesterday

and more owl hoots today.