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Emotions, Alexithymia and Theory of Mind

AANE maintains this listing of current research for the community’s information and possible participation. These research studies are external and are not ran by, nor affiliated with, AANE. To return to the main research study page that includes the full listing of research studies, study guidelines, and a link to submit a research study, click this link.

Date Posted

Research Study Description

Purpose of the study:
The study investigates how alexithymia, a trait characterized by difficulties in recognizing internal emotion states, relates to emotion recognition more broadly and to theory of mind (ToM), the capacity to understand the internal state of others. The study investigates this relationship in both autistic adults, including those who have a formal diagnosis of autism and those who self-identify as autistic, and neurotypical or non-autistic adults. There is a particular focus on interoceptive awareness, the awareness of internal bodily states, and sensory sensitivity, sensitivity to lights, sounds, textures and similar, as potential mediating factors.
Participation:

You are invited to participate because you are an adult aged 18 or over, are fluent in English, as the study requires you to complete a number of questionnaires in English, and because you are either neurodivergent or autistic, or neurotypical or non-autistic.

If you consent to take part, you will complete an online session lasting approximately 35 to 40 minutes. Please read the information sheet and give electronic consent should you decide to take part.
Complete short questionnaires which measure emotional awareness, sensory experiences, interoceptive awareness of internal body states, and autistic traits.

Complete a brief computer-based emotion recognition and social understanding tasks.
You can skip any question should you feel disinclined to answer it. You can withdraw from the study at any point by closing the browser window. No data will be saved unless you complete the study and formally submit your responses. The research has received ethics approval from our institutional review board at University College Dublin.

If you have any questions about any aspect of the survey, you can contact:
Professor Nuala Brady: [email protected]

Please click on the link below to access the survey:

https://run.pavlovia.org/psyit/Emot_Alex_ToM-CB-AC

Name of Organization:
University College Dublin

For questions, please email::
[email protected]

Study Link: 
https://run.pavlovia.org/psyit/Emot_Alex_ToM-CB-AC