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MythBusters: Autism is social aversion
Myth: Autism is characterized by social aversion or social avoidance
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Sensory Sensitivity and Autism
Have you seen the billboards by Autism Speaks? “Sensory sensitivity is a sign of autism”. As an autism researcher, I think it’s absolutely wonderful to increase awareness of the symptom profile of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). So often the greatest emphasis is placed on difficulties within the social domain, and many media portrayals…
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Hi Baby, What are you Looking at?
Babies are so much more capable than we give them credit for. The analogy that young children’s minds are like sponges overlooks the active role infants play in their development. But what tools are at their disposal that facilitates this active participation? Long before infants can walk or talk, they use vision as a key…
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A look behind a changing mind
What’s going on in the brain when someone does change their mind? Understanding neural systems underlying belief maintenance can bring scientists closer to communicating new research in a way that makes people more amenable to updating their beliefs.
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May the Force be with you–while you wait
It has been a long year since the teaser trailer for Star Wars: Episode VII was first released and the opening showing of the film prior to the film’s wide release has finally arrived. But the wait does not end there! Here is a picture of a group of moviegoers queuing to enter the theatre.…
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What color is the dress, really?
One of the top social media items today regards the color of the above dress. Is it blue and black? Or white and gold? The internet is in a disarray and a great debate has ensued. Even Taylor Swift has chimed in (her vote is blue and black). I see white with a gold fringe.…
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Mediating and Moderating Variables Explained
What is the difference between a mediator and a moderator?
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Theory of Mind: the Movie Magic in You
Film stands out as a particularly effective medium in conveying psychology to the public.
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Serial: the Case of Memory
Serial has quickly become an international obsession. From the master storytellers of This American Life, the focal story of the inaugural season is about details surrounding the 1999 conviction of then high-school student Adnan Syed for the murder of ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee. A new episode is released every Thursday (this week will be the…
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A New Direction in Autism Research: Google Cloud
Autism is everywhere and it is great! I’m not referring to the recent CDC estimate that 1 in 68 children in the U. S. are diagnosed with the disorder. Instead, I’m talking about its presence in the news. Most recently, I’ve read that the Vatican is holding an inaugural conference on autism, “The Person…