Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Scandinavian Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology logoLink to Scandinavian Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology
. 2012 Nov 30;1(2):43–50. doi: 10.21307/sjcapp-2013-007

Recognition Memory for High and Low Associative Stimuli in Autistic Individuals with Outstanding Memory Skill

Nicola Neumann 1,2,✉, Christoph Braun 1, Anna M Dubischar-Krivec 1, Sven Bölte 3
PMCID: PMC10586206  PMID: 37869707

Abstract

Background: Individuals with autism exhibit typical recognition memory performance, but they show a reduced use of context and relational processing in more complex memory tasks. It is unclear whether the same is true for autistic individuals with exceptional memory skill for whom superior rote memory skill has been assumed.

Objective: In this study, we investigated recognition memory for high and low associative stimuli in autistic memory experts. In accord with the rote memory notion, we expected an equal recognition performance for high and low associative stimuli and superior memorizing of nonsense material compared to control participants.

Method: Seven autistic memory experts and seven typically developed control subjects, matched according to age, sex, handedness, and full-scale intelligence quotient (IQ), were examined on a continuous old-new recognition paradigm, including high or low associative pseudowords and shapes. Memory expertise was characterized as a currently present outstanding memory skill above the subject’s general level of ability and above the general population and was validated through direct clinical observation or some form of credible evidence.

Results: Our hypotheses were partially corroborated with autistic memory experts recognizing high and low associative shapes equally well in contrast to control participants who showed superior recognition of high associative shapes. However, memory experts did not outperform control participants in the recognition of low associative shapes. There were no differences for the recognition of pseudowords.

Conclusions: Findings do not indicate enhanced memory for nonsense material, but a failure to make use of semantic features of abstract stimuli as assumed for autism as a whole.

KeyWords: Autism, memory, old/new paradigm, recognition, savant syndrome

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Graduate Research Training Program on Cognitive Neurobiology of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) at the University of Tübingen, the University and Science Program of the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg, and the Käthe Kluth Program of the University of Greifswald. The authors thank all patients for their participation in this study. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

References

  • 1.Bowler DM, Matthews NJ, Gardiner JM Asperger’s syndrome and memory: similarity to autism but not amnesia Neuropsychologia. 1997;35(1):65. doi: 10.1016/s0028-3932(96)00054-1. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 2.Minshew NJ, Goldstein G The pattern of intact and impaired memory functions in autism J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2001;42:1095. doi: 10.1111/1469-7610.00808. . . ; : - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 3.Hermelin B, O’Connor N Remembering of words by psychotic and subnormal children Br J Psychol. 1967;58(3):213. doi: 10.1111/j.2044-8295.1967.tb01075.x. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 4.O’Connor N, Hermelin B Auditory and visual memory in autistic and normal children J Ment Defic Res. 1967;11:126. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.1967.tb00213.x. . . ; : - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 5.Gaigg SB, Gardiner JM, Bowler DM Free recall in autism spectrum disorder: the role of relational and item-specific encoding Neuropsychologia. 2008;46(4):983. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2007.11.011. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 6.Beversdorf DQ, Anderson JM, Manning SE, Anderson SL, Nordgren RE, Felopulos GJ, et al The effect of semantic and emotional context on written recall for verbal language in high functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1998;65(5):685. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.65.5.685. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 7.Mottron L, Morasse K, Belleville S A study of memory functioning in individuals with autism J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2001;42(2):253. . . ; ( ): - . [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 8.Bowler DM, Gaigg SB, Gardiner JM Effects of related and unrelated context on recall and recognition by adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder Neuropsychologia. 2008;46(4):993. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2007.12.004. . . ; ( ): - [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 9.Ameli R, Courchesne E, Lincoln A, Kaufman AS, Grillon C Visual memory processes in high-functioning individuals with autism J Autism Dev Disord. 1988;18(4):601. doi: 10.1007/BF02211878. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 10.Beversdorf DQ, Narayanan A, Hillier A, Hughes JD Network model of decreased context utilization in autism spectrum disorder J Autism Dev Disord. 2007;37(6):1040. doi: 10.1007/s10803-006-0242-7. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 11.Beversdorf DQ, Smith BW, Crucian GP, Anderson JM, Keillor JM, Barrett AM, et al Increased discrimination of “false memories” in autism spectrum disorder Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2000;97(15):8734. doi: 10.1073/pnas.97.15.8734. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 12.Treffert DA The savant syndrome: an extraordinary condition. A synopsis: past, present, future Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2009;1522;364:1351. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2008.0326. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 13.Howlin P, Goode S, Hutton J, Rutter M Savant skills in autism: psychometric approaches and parental reports Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2009;1522;364:1359. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2008.0328. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 14.Bölte S, Poustka F Comparing the intelligence profiles of savant and nonsavant individuals with autistic disorder Intelligence. 2004;32:121. . . ; : - . [Google Scholar]
  • 15.Hill AL An investigation of calendar calculating by an idiot savant Am J Psychiatry. 1975;132(5):557. doi: 10.1176/ajp.132.5.557. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 16.Toichi M, Kamio Y Long-term memory and levels-of-processing in autism Neuropsychologia. 2002;40(7):964. doi: 10.1016/s0028-3932(01)00163-4. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 17.Miller LK The savant syndrome: intellectual impairment and exceptional skill Psychol Bull. 1999;125(1):31. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.125.1.31. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 18.Treffert DA. Extraordinary people. iUniverse, Inc.; Lincoln, NE: 2006. ( ) . , [Google Scholar]
  • 19.Neumann N, Dubischar-Krivec A, Braun C, Löw A, Poustka F, Bölte S, et al The mind of the mnemonists: an MEG and neuropsychological study of autistic memory savants Behav Brain Res. 2010;215(1):114. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2010.07.008. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 20.Bölte S, Rühl D, Schmötzer G, Poustka F . Diagnostisches Interview für Autismus - Revidiert (ADI-R) Huber; Bern: 2006. . . , ; . [Google Scholar]
  • 21.Lord C, Rutter M, Le Couteur A Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised: a revised version of a diagnostic interview for caregivers of individuals with possible pervasive developmental disorders J Autism Dev Disord. 1994;24(5):659. doi: 10.1007/BF02172145. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 22.Lord C, Risi S, Lambrecht L, Cook EH Leventhal BL, DiLavore PC, et al The autism diagnostic observation schedule-generic: a standard measure of social and communication deficits associated with the spectrum of autism J Autism Dev Disord. 2000;30(3):205. , Jr., . . ; ( ): - . [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 23.Rühl D, Bölte S, Feineis-Matthews S, Poustka F . Diagnostische Beobachtungsskala für Autistische Störungen (ADOS) Huber; Bern: 2004. . . , ; . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 24.Raven JC The comparative assessment of intellectual ability Br J Psychol. 1948;19:137. . . ; : - . [Google Scholar]
  • 25.Tewes U HAWIE-R . Hamburg-Wechsler Intelligenztest für Erwachsene. Hans Huber; Bern: 1991. 1994. . . , (Revision . ). , ; . [Google Scholar]
  • 26.Tewes U HAWIK- R . Hamburg- Wechsler- Intelligenztest für Kinder. Hans Huber; Bern: 1983. 1993. . . . (Revision . ). , ; . [Google Scholar]
  • 27.Bölte S, Dziobek I, Poustka F Brief Report: The Level and Nature of Autistic Intelligence Revisited J Autism Dev Disord. 2009;39:678. doi: 10.1007/s10803-008-0667-2. . . ; : - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 28.Rugg MD, Allan K . In: Event-related potential studies of memory. Tulving E, Craik FIM, editors. Oxford University Press; Oxford: 2000. pp. 521–537. . (eds). The Oxford handbook of memory. , ; : - . [Google Scholar]
  • 29.Sanquist TF, Rohrbaugh K, Syndulko K, Lindsey DB Electrocortical signs of levels of processing: Perceptual analysis and recognition memory Psychophysiology. 1980;17:568. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.1980.tb02299.x. . . ; : - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 30.Sturm W, Willmes K . Verbaler Lerntest. Hogrefe Verlag; Göttingen: 1999. . . , ; . [Google Scholar]
  • 31.Sturm W, Willmes K . Nonverbaler Lerntest. Hogrefe Verlag; Göttingen: 1999. . . , ; . [Google Scholar]
  • 32.Snodgrass JG, Corwin J Pragmatics of measuring recognition memory: applications to dementia and amnesia J Exp Psychol Gen. 1988;117(1):34. doi: 10.1037//0096-3445.117.1.34. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 33.Lopez B, Leekam SR Do children with autism fail to process information in context? J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2003;44(2):285. doi: 10.1111/1469-7610.00121. . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 34.Kamio Y, Toichi M Dual access to semantics in autism: is pictorial access superior to verbal access? J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2000;41(7):859. . ; ( ): - . [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 35.Hillier A, Campbell H, Keillor J, Phillips N, Beversdorf DQ Decreased false memory for visually presented shapes and symbols among adults on the autism spectrum J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2007;29(6):610. doi: 10.1080/13803390600878760. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 36.Joseph RM, Steele SD, Meyer E, Tager-Flusberg H Self-ordered pointing in children with autism: failure to use verbal mediation in the service of working memory? Neuropsychologia. 2005;43(10):1400. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2005.01.010. . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 37.Joseph RM, McGrath LM, Tager-Flusberg H Executive dysfunction and its relation to language ability in verbal school-age children with autism Dev Neuropsychol. 2005;27(3):361. doi: 10.1207/s15326942dn2703_4. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 38.Minshew NJ, Goldstein G, Siegel DJ Neuropsychologic functioning in autism: profile of a complex information processing disorder J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 1997;3(4):303. . . ; ( ): - . [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 39.O’Riordan M, Plaisted K Enhanced discrimination in autism Q J Exp Psychol A. 2001;54(4):961. doi: 10.1080/713756000. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 40.O’Riordan M A Superior visual search in adults with autism Autism. 2004;8(3):229. doi: 10.1177/1362361304045219. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 41.Mottron L, Dawson M, Soulieres I, Hubert B, Burack J Enhanced perceptual functioning in autism: an update, and eight principles of autistic perception J Autism Dev Disord. 2006;36(1):27. doi: 10.1007/s10803-005-0040-7. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 42.Jolliffe T, Baron-Cohen S Are people with autism and Asperger syndrome faster than normal on the Embedded Figures Test? J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 1997;38(5):527. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.1997.tb01539.x. . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 43.Shah A, Frith U An islet of ability in autistic children: a research note J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 1983;24(4):613. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.1983.tb00137.x. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 44.Shah A, Frith U Why do autistic individuals show superior performance on the block design task? J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 1993;34(8):1351. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.1993.tb02095.x. . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 45.Rinehart NJ, Bradshaw JL, Tonge BJ, Brereton AV, Bellgrove MA A neurobehavioral examination of individuals with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s disorder using a fronto-striatal model of dysfunction Behav Cogn Neurosci Rev. 2002;1(2):164. doi: 10.1177/1534582302001002004. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 46.Heit E, Brockdorff N, Lamberts K Strategic processes in false recognition memory Psychon Bull Rev. 2004;11(2):380. doi: 10.3758/bf03196586. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 47.Ragland JD, Moelter ST, McGrath C, Hill SK, Gur RE, Bilker WB, et al 2003;54(11):1154. doi: 10.1016/s0006-3223(03)00235-x. . Levels-of-processing effect on word recognition in schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 48.Mintzer MZ, Griffiths RR Alcohol and false recognition: a dose-effect study Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2001;159(1):51. doi: 10.1007/s002130100893. . . ; ( ): - . [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Scandinavian Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology are provided here courtesy of Psychiatric Research Unit, Region Zealand Psychiatry, Denmark.

RESOURCES