Electroencephalography (EEG) studies indicate a reduced or absent self-preference effect for faces in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The current study extends these findings to individuals below the diagnostic cut-off for ASD who differ in social engagement and extends the modality to auditory stimuli. Participants (n=908) were classified as either high or low in social engagement, but within the sub-clinical range, using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient and the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire, then during dense array EEG a subset of participants (n=21) were presented with images of faces or names, read auditorily, in three categories: themselves (24 trials), a close “other” (24 trials), and a stranger (72 trials). A marginally significant interaction between peak and social engagement was observed on amplitude when viewing faces. There was a significant effect of condition on P300 for component 1; higher amplitudes were recorded in response to viewing images of the close other. A significant interaction between condition and social engagement was observed for latency. A main effect of condition on amplitude was noted when hearing names. Additionally, a main effect of condition on latency for names was observed. For P300 latency in response to names, a main effect of condition was observed, suggesting the self-preference effect occurs in response to auditory stimuli.

Keywords: Autism, EEG, social engagement, communication, self-preference effect, AQ, BAPQ