In 2002, Cambridge University’s Professor Simon Baron-Cohen released his paper titled The extreme male brain theory of autism. Appearing to provide a digestible explanation for many of the traits observed in those on the autistic spectrum, Baron-Cohen’s work would eventually become one of the most publicised theories of autistic cognition in contemporary psychology.
The ‘extreme male brain’ theory of autism suggests that individuals on the autistic spectrum exhibit traits predominantly related to masculine thought processing. According to Baron-Cohen, this involves a tendency towards systematising; the “drive to analyse the variables in a given system.” This allows for a ‘trial and error’ approach to understanding how the world functions around us, and assists in understanding systems that operate on a routine, structural basis.
Baron-Cohen’s concept of the hyper-masculine ‘systematising’ brain has its limitations. Whilst adept at understanding mathematics, economics and engineering – the extreme male brain struggles with interactions that involves unpredictability or non-structural factors. For this, the Cambridge Professor argued that empathy (a primarily female trait) was the missing link that allowed the atypical mind to interpret the thoughts and feelings of others and to respond appropriately.
The absence or reduced capacity for empathy was the backbone of the ‘extreme male brain’ theory. It neatly explained away many of the difficulties faced by those on the spectrum in regards to recognising social-cues, whilst accommodating for the genius-like mathematical capabilities that’d become a marked stereotype to those on the autistic-spectrum. As a theory, it paved the way for the likes of the ‘double-empathy problem’ – which suggests that those with autism find it difficult to empathise with those not on the autism-spectrum (and vice-versa) – and gave new life to the decades-old belief that autistic individuals were incapable of empathy.
Now, Baron-Cohen recognises the potentially damaging nature of his phrasing.
The clinical psychologist opposes the idea that a clear binary can be drawn between systematising and empathising, and regrets dividing each of these traits on the basis of sex.
“Some of that language, like male brain and female brain, I just don’t think it’s useful today.”
In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, Baron-Cohen accepts that the idea that autistic individuals lack empathy is a myth, and it only takes a glance at public perceptions of the condition to reveal the lasting impacts of this viewpoint.
Years after the ‘extreme male brain’ theory was published, fictional representations of autism have unknowingly followed this concept. Often termed the ‘one-child with autism’ in honour of Grand Valley State Professor Robert Rozema’s quote
“If you know one child with autism, you know one child with autism”
fictional representations of the condition have become startlingly two-dimensional.
Popularised most notably by Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the dog in the Night-Time, released only a year after Baron-Cohen’s publication – characters depicted as being on the autism-spectrum often demonstrate a limited capacity for empathy and an acute mind for mathematics reminiscent of those with the exceptionally rare savant syndrome. Said characters are most often featured in mystery novels, wherein their keen eye for patterns and insistence for sameness makes them the perfect Neo-Sherlock to capture the minds of readers.
Whilst it remains obvious how such perceptions may negatively impact perceptions of those with autism, the concept that autism inherently prevents an individual from experiencing empathy makes it increasingly difficult for young members of the autism community who are still attempting to make sense of their diagnosis and identity.
