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Simon Baron-Cohen
Born in London, Simon
Baron-Cohen qualified as a
clinical psychologist at London
University’s Institute of
Psychiatry, and took his PhD
at University College, London.
In 1995, he became a fellow
in experimental psychology at
Trinity College, Cambridge,
and is currently the university’s
Professor of Developmental
Psychopathology and director
of its Autism Research Centre,
where his work involves
investigating ways of treating
autism, as well as research
into possible causes.
His many accolades include
the President’s Award and
Spearman Medal from the
British Psychological Society,
plus the Boyd McCandless
Award from the American
Psychological Association.
From 2009 to 2011, Baron-
Cohen served as vice-president
of the International Society of
Autism Research, and is also
vice-president of the National
Autistic Society (UK).Key works1993 Autism: The Facts
1995 Mindblindness
1999 Teaching Children with
Autism to Mind-Read
2003 The Essential DifferenceDEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
See also: Roger W. Sperry 337–38 ■ Heinz Heckhausen 338–39 ■ Michael
Rutter 339
have a “systematizing brain,” while
many people have a “balanced”
brain of equal abilities.
Theory of mind
Baron-Cohen believes that autistic
people lack a “theory of mind”—the
ability to interpret others’ emotions
and actions successfully—and so
are unable to assess another’s state
of mind or intentions. Also, they
often have obsessive interests that
are centered on some form of system,
such as an intense preoccupation
with light switches. They focus on
tiny details in the system, working
out the underlying rules that govern
it, or home in on a specific topic,
learning everything about it with
great accuracy. This mix of little or
no empathy and an obsession with
systems, along with the higher rate
of autism in males, led Baron-Cohen
to conclude that autistic people have
an extreme “male” brain.
Autism is one of the most severe
psychiatric disorders in children,
and Baron-Cohen’s ideas have
helped to deepen understanding of
the condition, raising awareness and
making treatment more effective. ■Autistic children sometimes show
remarkable aptitude in certain areas,
especially those that demand acute
observation of fine detail, such as
mathematics, drawing, and painting.Autistic people are obsessed with
understanding and working with systems,
but do not have the “tools” for empathy.The male brain is
predominantly hard-wired
for understanding and
building systems.The female brain is
predominantly hard-wired
for empathy.Autism is an extreme form
of the male brain.