Influence of autistic trait on the formation of symbolic communication system

Abstract

To realize a harmonious society where various groups collaborate, it is essential to understand the characteristics of communication systems generated from the traits of different individuals. This paper describes a study exploring the relationship between the establishment of novel communication systems and autistic traits, which are conventionally viewed as indicative of a communication disorder. The participants engaged in coordination games based on experimental semiotics and completed the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Contrary to the traditional view of autistic traits, but consistent with the fact that individuals with these traits have been involved in many societal innovations, the results of this study show that autistic traits can facilitate the establishment of novel communication systems. Furthermore, correlation analysis suggests that various subcategories of autistic traits show differences in their relation to the stages involved in the establishment of communication systems. The findings contribute to our understanding of the process of language evolution and could promote communication among diverse individuals.