The integrated self-categorization model of autism.

In this article, we formally present the (ISCA). This model brings together the cognitive-perceptual and social-communication features of autism under a single explanatory framework. Specifically, ISCA proposes that the social-communication features that are related to theory of mind dysfunction emerge from the cognitive-perceptual features related to enhanced perceptual functioning and weak central coherence, and proposes that they are linked by dysfunction in the self-categorization process.

Visual attentional orienting by eye gaze: A meta-analytic review of the gaze-cueing effect.

Given limitations in the amount of visual information that a person can simultaneously process through to conscious perception, selective visual attention is necessary. Visual signals in the environment aid this selection process by triggering reflexive shifts of covert attention to locations of potential importance. One such signal appears to be others' eye gaze.

Self-categorization and autism: Exploring the relationship between autistic traits and group homogeneity.

The Integrated Self-Categorization model of Autism (ISCA; Bertschy et al., 2019; Skorich & Haslam, 2021) argues that the theory of mind differences seen in autism arises from Enhanced Perceptual Functioning/Weak Central Coherence, via a dysfunctional self-categorization mechanism. The ISCA model also makes the novel prediction that phenomena that arise from self-categorization should also be affected in autistic people.

Self-categorization and Autism: Exploring the Relationship Between Autistic Traits and Ingroup Favouritism in the Minimal Group Paradigm.

The Integrated self-categorization model of autism (ISCA) argues that a self-categorization dysfunction could be the link between some of the disparate features of ASD. To the extent that this is true, any social psychological phenomena arising from self-categorization should be impaired in autistic people. Based on this premise, we investigated whether ingroup favouritism within the minimal group paradigm is reduced to the extent that individuals possess autistic traits.

Predictors of social identification in group therapy.

Group therapy is a popular and effective format for psychological intervention, and both anecdotal and empirical data consistently point to group dynamics as a primary driver of its benefits. However, to date there has been no systematic investigation of what facilitates an engaged, cohesive group environment. We argue that this is and explore the features of groups that help to build this.

Smoke signals: The decline of brand identity predicts reduced smoking behaviour following the introduction of plain packaging.

This study tests a social identity based mechanism for the effectiveness of plain tobacco packaging legislation, introduced in Australia in December 2012, to reduce cigarette smoking. 178 Australian smokers rated their sense of identification with fellow smokers of their brand, positive brand stereotypes, quitting behaviours and intentions, and smoking intensity, both before and seven months after the policy change. Mediation analyses showed that smokers, especially those who initially identified strongly with their brand, experienced a significant decrease in their brand identity following the introduction of plain packaging and this was associated with lower smoking behaviours and increased intentions to quit.

Exploring the Cognitive Foundations of the Shared Attention Mechanism: Evidence for a Relationship Between Self-Categorization and Shared Attention Across the Autism Spectrum.

The social difficulties of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are typically explained as a disruption in the Shared Attention Mechanism (SAM) sub-component of the theory of mind (ToM) system. In the current paper, we explore the hypothesis that SAM's capacity to construct the self-other-object relations necessary for shared-attention arises from a self-categorization process, which is weaker among those with more autistic-like traits. We present participants with self-categorization and shared-attention tasks, and measure their autism-spectrum quotient (AQ).

Is Social Categorization the Missing Link Between Weak Central Coherence and Mental State Inference Abilities in Autism? Preliminary Evidence from a General Population Sample.

We explore the relationship between the 'theory of mind' (ToM) and 'central coherence' difficulties of autism. We introduce covariation between hierarchically-embedded categories and social information--at the local level, the global level, or at both levels simultaneously--within a category confusion task. We then ask participants to infer the mental state of novel category members, and measure participants' autism-spectrum quotient (AQ).

Stereotype threat and hazard perception among provisional license drivers.

Stereotype threat refers to the negative impact a stereotype about one's group can have on one's performance in domains relevant to the stereotype. In the current paper, we explore whether the negative stereotype of provisional license drivers (PLDs) might produce stereotype threat in a driving-related hazard perception task. We manipulate threat by asking participants to self-identify as PLDs in a categorization condition, or by reminding PLD participants explicitly of the stereotype of PLDs in an explicit stereotype condition.

Cognitive load privileges memory-based over data-driven processing, not group-level over person-level processing.

In the current paper, we argue that categorization and individuation, as traditionally discussed and as experimentally operationalized, are defined in terms of two confounded underlying dimensions: a person/group dimension and a memory-based/data-driven dimension. In a series of three experiments, we unconfound these dimensions and impose a cognitive load. Across the three experiments, two with laboratory-created targets and one with participants' friends as the target, we demonstrate that cognitive load privileges memory-based over data-driven processing, not group- over person-level processing.

The effects of a novel anti-inflammatory compound (AHI-805) on cyclooxygenase enzymes and the recovery of ischaemia injured equine jejunum ex vivo.

Reasons For Performing Study: Flunixin meglumine is used for treatment of equine colic despite evidence of inhibited recovery of mucosal barrier function following small intestinal ischaemic injury. This study aimed to characterise an alternative treatment (AHI-805) for abdominal pain in the horse.

Objective: To determine the effect of AHI-805, an aza-thia-benzoazulene derivative, on the cyclooxygenase enzymes and the recovery of mucosal barrier function following ischaemic injury.

Evaluation of the cyclooxygenase selectivity of robenacoxib and its effect on recovery of ischemia-injured jejunal mucosa in horses.

Objective: To determine the cyclooxygenase (COX) selectivity of robenacoxib and its effect on recovery of jejunal mucosa following ischemic injury in horses.

Animals: 12 healthy horses.

Procedures: Half the maximal inhibition (EC₅₀) of robenacoxib for COX-1 and COX-2 activity was established in bloods samples from 6 horses via measurement of thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂) and prostaglandin E₂ concentrations, respectively; COX selectivity was subsequently calculated.

Invasion of the guinea pig conjunctiva by Toxoplasma gondii.

Although interactions of Toxoplasma gondii with host cells have been studied extensively in vitro, relatively little is known about the initial interactions of Toxoplasma with mucosal surfaces in vivo. We therefore studied the onset of a Toxoplasma infection in guinea pig conjunctiva. Toxoplasma were inoculated onto the conjunctival epithelium.

Fortified antibiotic ointment in bacterial keratitis.

We conducted experiments to determine the effectiveness of fortified antibiotic ointment in the treatment of Pseudomonas keratitis in rabbits. We evaluated gentamicin ointment (3, 10, 20, and 40 mg/g), gentamicin solution (3 and 10 mg/ml), and placebo, each given every 30 minutes. We also examined the effectiveness of fortified ointment given in extended treatment intervals.