The Need for Social Belonging in Individuals with Extreme Autistic-Like Traits

Background:

Individuals on the autism spectrum are often characterised by a lack of interest in social interactions. However, previous research is yet to determine whether this apparent lack of interest reflects a decreased need for social belonging. It has also been suggested that individuals in the general population who self-report autistic-like traits on the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) may share characteristics of individuals with a clinical diagnosis of the disorder.  A body of social psychology literature argues that the need for social belonging is a universal human motivation. Furthermore, recent research has demonstrated that this fundamental need for social belonging can be threatened through acts of social ostracism.

Objectives:

The current research examined psychological reactions to an act of social ostracism in individuals scoring on the extremes of the AQ in order to investigate the need for social belonging in individuals reporting high levels of autistic-like traits. Lack of evidence of need threat following ostracism may indicate that the need for social belonging is less pervasive in individuals with elevated autistic-like traits.

Methods:

Undergraduate psychology students with extreme scores on the AQ (high score indicates extreme autistic-like traits and low score indicates lack of autistic-like traits), were either ostracised or included in an online ball toss game (Cyberball). Previous research has demonstrated that ostracism causes reductions in mood and elevated ratings of threat to four fundamental needs: social belonging, control, self-esteem and meaningful existence. Participants scoring high on the AQ were expected to report less reduction in self-reported mood and less threat to fundamental needs, in particular social belonging, following ostracism.

Results:

Contrary to expectations, high AQ participants reported a comparable change in threat to social belonging relative to low AQ participants following ostracism. Interestingly high AQ participants reported higher baseline self-reported arousal, which was heightened further following either ostracism or inclusion in the Cyberball paradigm, relative to low AQ participants.

Conclusions:

Results indicate that the need for social belonging is intact in individuals with extreme autistic-like traits. Perhaps where such individuals differ is in their acquisition of the social skills necessary to meet this fundamental need.