To what extent is the role of language in novel task learning mediated by the expression of autism spectrum traits?

Recent findings have shown that language plays a crucial role in the acquisition of novel cognitive tasks (Van 't Wout & Jarrold, 2020). Additionally, some evidence suggests that autistic individuals may not use language to guide behaviour to the same extent as neurotypical individuals (e.g., Williams et al., 2012; 2016). This study aims to investigate whether the use of language in learning novel tasks is modulated by the expression of autistic traits. 108 adults, who will be divided into three groups (low, medium or high) based on their Autism Spectrum Quotient score (low score = bottom 33%; medium score = middle 33%; high score = top 33%). All participants will be recruited via SONA and receive course credit in return for their participation. All participants will be required to learn six novel tasks (plus one practice round). Each task will consist of six arbitrary stimulus-response (S-R) mappings. Specifically, each task requires participants to respond to a centrally presented target image using one of six keyboard responses. Feedback will be provided on incorrect trials. During the instruction phase (when participants are presented with a visual representation of the correct S-R rules) participants will be required to perform a verbal distractor task (articulatory suppression; AS), a non-verbal distractor task (foot tapping; FT) or no distractor task, to the beat of a metronome set to 100 beats per minute. The distractor task will not be performed during task performance itself. In addition to manipulating the distractor task, the instruction duration was varied so that it was either long (60 seconds) or short (10 seconds). Following the main task, participants will be required to complete the Autism Spectrum Quotient questionnaire. Altogether, the experiment (which will be run online) will last approximately 20 minutes. This is a preregistration of the article: van ‘t Wout, F., & Jarrold, C. (2023). To What Extent is the Contribution of Language to Learning via Instructions Modulated by the Expression of Autism Traits?. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05843-1 unknown other