The Role of Social Vulnerability and Compliance in Offending in ASD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Role of Social Vulnerability and Compliance in Offending in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
IRAS ID
174951
Contact name
Katy-Louise Payne
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 1 months, 13 days
Research summary
Evidence suggests that the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in forensic samples may be greater than the 1% observed within the general community samples (Scragg and Shah, 1994; Siponmaa et al, 2001; Haskins and Silva, 2006). However, the risk factors in ASD offending behaviours are presently poorly understood. A recent survey conducted by the National Autistic Society found that 37% of individuals with ASD had been forced or manipulated to do something they didn’t want to do by someone they thought of as a friend. This included criminal behaviours. Someone with ASD may not question the intentions or honesty of an individual who is befriending them and may simply do as they are asked, complying with someone’s wishes even if it leads them to harm. This highlights the need to better understand how deficits or characteristics of ASD may lead to exploitation/manipulation into criminal behaviour by someone that they think is their friend.
This current study aims to identify whether individuals with autism offend alone or with others, and how this differs for different types of offences. It will ascertain whether individuals were manipulated into committing offence(s) by others or whether they were self-motivated to commit the offence(s) on their own. The study will measure and examine the role of social vulnerability, compliance, moral-reasoning, social motivation, understanding of people’s intentions and will identify the role of special interests in lone vs. other offending. The study will also collect demographic data (e.g. age, marital status, age at initial diagnosis) and historical and current medical information (e.g. psychiatric history, substance abuse) to identify whether these factors influence individuals with autism offending alone or with others. Both offenders and non-offenders will be included in this research to allow for comparisons to be made to identify any significant differences between the groups.
REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
15/WA/0214
Date of REC Opinion
10 Aug 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion