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Embrace Autism | Hyper-systemizing | HyperSystemizing 822e910f
April 22, 2018
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Hyper-systemizing

Last updated on May 3, 2021

Systemizing is a term that is part of the empathizing–systemizing theory by Simon Baron-Cohen.

An illustrated portrait of Simon Baron-Cohen.

Systemizing

Systemizing is the drive to analyze or construct systems.[1]The systemizing quotient: an investigation of adults with Asperger syndrome or high–functioning autism, and normal sex differences According to Baron-Cohen’s research, the systemizing mechanism is set too high in autistic people. As a result, they can only cope with highly lawful systems, and cannot cope with systems of high variance or change (which includes “the social world of other minds”), and they appear change-resistant.[2]The hyper-systemizing, assortative mating theory of autism This strong inclination towards systemization is what is called hyper-systemizing.

Hyper-systemizing

Hyper-systemizing does not only denote rigidity and inflexibility, however, as it also predisposes individuals to show particular talents, and is part of the cognitive style of autistic people.[3]Talent in autism: hyper-systemizing, hyper-attention to detail and sensory hypersensitivity

The hyper-systemizing theory argues that the excellent attention to detail is directed towards detecting ‘if p, then q’ rules (or [input–operation–output] reasoning). Such law-based pattern recognition systems can produce talent in systemizable domains.

Embrace Autism | Hyper-systemizing | table hypersystemizing
Table source: Royal Society Publishing – Talent in autism: hyper-systemizing, hyper-attention to detail and sensory hypersensitivity

References

 

References
1↑ The systemizing quotient: an investigation of adults with Asperger syndrome or high–functioning autism, and normal sex differences
2↑ The hyper-systemizing, assortative mating theory of autism
3↑ Talent in autism: hyper-systemizing, hyper-attention to detail and sensory hypersensitivity
This article
was written by:
martin-silvertant
Martin Silvertant
Co-founder of Embrace Autism, and living up to my surname as a silver award-winning graphic designer. Besides running Embrace Autism and researching autism, I love typography and practice type design. I also fight dodecahedragons during sleep onset. I discovered I’m autistic when I was 19, and was diagnosed at 25. PS: I am trans, and Martin is my dead name. For articles under my current name, have a look at Eva Silvertant’s content.

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Although our content is generally well-researched
and substantiated, or based on personal experience,
note that it does not constitute medical advice.

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A First Nations symbol, consisting of a Sun surrounded by four Eagle feathers.

Land acknowledgement

Embrace Autism recognizes and acknowledges the traditional lands of the Indigenous peoples across Ontario. From the lands of the Anishinaabe to the Attawandaron and Haudenosaunee, these lands surrounding the Great Lakes are steeped in First Nations history. We are in solidarity with Indigenous brothers and sisters to honour and respect Mother Earth. We acknowledge and give gratitude for the wisdom of the Grandfathers and the four winds that carry the spirits of our ancestors that walked this land before us. Embrace Autism is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. We acknowledge and thank the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation—the Treaty holders—for being stewards of this traditional territory.

A First Nations symbol, consisting of a Sun surrounded by four Eagle feathers.
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