A psychologist observed social communication patterns in young children. They compared a group of 12 toddlers diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) with 12 neurotypical toddlers of the same age. During a controlled observation, an experimenter blew bubbles into the room and then looked at and pointed to a colorful poster on the wall, saying "Look!". The researcher recorded whether the toddler looked in the direction of the poster and then back to the experimenter to share the experience. The children diagnosed with ASD rarely looked at the poster and then back at the experimenter, unlike the neurotypical group.
Using your knowledge of autism, what is meant by a lack of joint attention? Refer to this study in your answer.
Practise AQA A Level Psychology Development of social cognition with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 49 questions, matched to the AQA A Level Psychology (7182) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
