Many consider the meta-analysis to be the gold standard in research, given that it involves pooling together data from multiple independent studies to see if an effect replicates. A recent meta-analysis by researchers from the Centre for Autism Reseach in Pennsylvania (USA) used the results of 13 independent brain imaging studies (including work by Dr Balsters) to evaluate the Social Motivation Hypothesis of Autism. Whilst the Social Motivation Hypothesis of Autism suggests that autistic individuals do not find social stimuli rewarding or attention-grabbing, the results of the meta-analysis found that autistic individuals process both social and non-social rewards differently. It’s believed this might underlie increased motivation for restricted interests.
You can learn more about RHAR research on reward processing here or contact Dr Balsters
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