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Gestalt Perception and Local-Global Processing in High-Functioning Autism

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Abstract

This study examined gestalt perception in high-functioning autism (HFA) and its relation to tasks indicative of local visual processing. Data on of gestalt perception, visual illusions (VI), hierarchical letters (HL), Block Design (BD) and the Embedded Figures Test (EFT) were collected in adult males with HFA, schizophrenia, depression and normative controls. Individuals with HFA processed gestalt stimuli less in accord with gestalt laws, particularly regarding the principle of similarity. Gestalt processing correlated positively with global processing of the HL. EFT and BD performance correlated negatively with VI susceptibility in HFA. All clinical groups succumbed less to VI than the normative sample. Results suggest decreased gestalt perception in HFA, being associated with a more general local visual processing bias.

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Acknowledgement

The authors thank Kristin Koslowsky and Nathalie Ogel for their support in data collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie des Kindes - und Jugendalters, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universitätsklinikum, Deutschordenstr. 50, D–60528, Frankfurt/M, Germany

    Sven Bölte, Martin Holtmann & Fritz Poustka

  2. Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany

    Armin Scheurich & Lutz Schmidt

Authors
  1. Sven Bölte
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  2. Martin Holtmann
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  3. Fritz Poustka
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  4. Armin Scheurich
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  5. Lutz Schmidt
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Correspondence to Sven Bölte.

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Sven Bölte, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universitätsklinikum; Armin Scheurich, Psychiatrische Klinik und Poliklinik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität; Martin Holtmann, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universitätsklinikum; Lutz Schmidt, Psychiatrische Klinik und Poliklinik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität; Fritz Poustka, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universitätsklinikum.

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Bölte, S., Holtmann, M., Poustka, F. et al. Gestalt Perception and Local-Global Processing in High-Functioning Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 37, 1493–1504 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0231-x

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