Foetal testosterone linked to autistic traits:
This latest update on their progress, presented by Simon Baron-Cohen and Bonnie Auyeung at the British Association's Festival of Science in York today, shows that the correlation between foetal hormone levels and autistic-trait behaviour continues as the children grow up.
...Baby boys produce more testosterone in the womb, which means they can also expose a non-identical female twin to higher levels of the hormone. But other genetic and environmental factors are thought to also play a role.
This is of course part of Simon Baron-Cohen's research program on empathizers and systemizers....
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Okay, so let's do a quick recap. How exactly do mirror neurons work? And why do they suggest that normally functioning human beings are hard wired for empathy?
Here's my working definition. (Those with a firmer grasp on the specifics will be sure to correct any faulty assumptions.)
Mirror neurons…
I have the soul of a stamp collector. Some might object that it's an unusually loud and psychedelic stamp collector, but I think it's so. It shows in my research (data-heavy, fussing over terminological definitions, with a lot of statistics), in my attacks on nebulous jargon and muddled…
Psychology is supposed to be the empathetic science. So, it surprised me to learn that many psychologists believe the entire range of human feeling can be distilled down to a list of ten. On the off chance this list grew too unwieldy, it was subdivided into two categories: primary emotions:…
I see that Simon Baron-Cohen has a piece in Seed about his theory of autism. I am really skeptical of many of his arguments related to autism, so I thought I would discuss a couple of them. Here is his core argument:
So what has all of this got to do with autism? We know that autism runs in…
Who cares what Borat thinks?
sir,
i believe you are mistaken in your identification. you have confused the mental scientist, simon baron-cohen, with the vulgar comedian sascha baron-cohen. true, the resemblances of nature and physique are striking, but distinct individuals they are nevertheless.
best
c.v. snicker
chet, how much?
sir,
i must apologize for my lack of understanding, but could you clarify your query?
sincerely,
c.v. snicker
sir,
subsequent to the utilization of the google search engine i have come to understand the nature of the question you posed. i shall take the liberty of operating under the assumption that no offense shall be taken on your part, sir, if i do not dignify your inquiry with a response? finally, may i add that i am resisting the temptation to upbraid you justly for the uncouthness of your implication? a gentleman you are not and i must gather never were!
sincerely,
c.v. snicker
chet, you need to chill d00d ;-) The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
sir, i am no lady!!! cease casting such dishonorable aspersions lest i be forced to respond in kind.
...something about sticks and stones and bones and names come to my chet. but peace. thanks for enlightening john.
These scientists sound quite dastardly. I think they, as well as you dear sir, need a sound thrashing.
Well, we know he's wrong because the two extremes of his continuum aren't logical opposites. I suspect it's more a matter of inappropriate naming than a true failure of theory.