Empathizing and systemizing skills influence risky decision making in children

Amir Hossein Memari, Monir Shayestehfar, Shahriar Gharibzadeh, Ebrahim Barzegary Banadkooki, Sina Hafizi, Pouria Moshayedi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Tow-mode theories explain that risky behaviors in young individuals may be the result of competition between an affective system (e.g., Empathizing system) and a deliberative system (e.g., Systemizing system). We aimed to investigate a total of 134 children aged 7-12. years old on scores of risky decision making and empathizing and systemizing measures. The primary analysis indicated that systemizers showed higher sensitivity to punishment than those in balanced or empathizer classes (F (2,130) = 14.8, p < 0.001). Furthermore empathizers indicated higher level of risk taking than balanced and empathizer children (F (2,130) = 5.027, p = 0.005). Providing further support for two-mode theories in risky decision making, findings suggest that empathizing and systemizing measures may be useful indexes for addressing affective and deliberative systems.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)22-26
Number of pages5
JournalLearning and Individual Differences
Volume40
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Decision making
  • Empathizing
  • Empathy
  • Risk
  • Systemizing
  • Two-mode model

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