Science lovers, how do you score on this?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around an online quiz related to the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and how various participants score on it. The conversation includes personal scores, reflections on the implications of those scores, and the potential relationship between the quiz and traits associated with being analytical or scientifically minded. Participants share their scores and engage in light-hearted commentary about the results.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants report their scores, with values ranging from 14 to 46.
  • One participant notes that the average score among forum users appears to be around 27, with a standard deviation of about 8.87.
  • Several participants express uncertainty about the implications of their scores, with some suggesting that the quiz may reflect analytical or social tendencies.
  • There are discussions about the potential gender bias in the quiz, with some participants speculating that it may serve as a gender-detecting test.
  • One participant mentions that the quiz was developed by Simon Baron-Cohen and discusses its relevance to autism traits.
  • Another participant raises concerns about the relevance of certain questions in the quiz to diagnosing autism.
  • Some participants reflect on their personal experiences and how their scores might differ based on life changes or conditions like ADD.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share their scores and engage in light banter about the average score, but there is no consensus on the implications of the scores or the validity of the quiz itself. Multiple competing views remain regarding the interpretation of the results and the nature of the quiz.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of familiarity with the quiz and its purpose, with some not fully understanding the context before taking it. There are also discussions about the ambiguity of certain questions and their applicability to individual experiences.

  • #61
BobG said:
What kind of mental illness does that qualify me for?

That's simple, and fairly common; you're nuts. :-p

edit: Either that, or your wife farts in her sleep like W. :biggrin:
 
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  • #62
The average person scores a 16.
Only four PF users, thus far, have scored below average.
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/2619/53899550.jpg
 
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  • #63
33. lol
 
  • #64
21 :( I'm below average PFer.
 
  • #65
Evo said:
What if the person taking the test is a misanthrope? I would put myself in that category, to some extent. I excel in social situations, but would prefer to not participate at all if I had the choice, and just not particularly fond of humans in general.
It says nothing about any other traits.

Filtering a piggy bank for nickels does not separate old nickels from new, or dimes from pennies.
 
  • #66
27. I suspect it means I'm observant but not a socialite.
 
  • #67
finally got around to this. 31. no real surprise there.
 
  • #68
BobG said:
25.


I don't think that qualifies me for autism or Aspergers. I don't think I like the sound of Schizoid Personality Disorder (even if it isn't Schizophrenia).

Can't I pick a different mental illness?

I'm kind of depressed sometimes - at least 4 or 5 minutes a day. And I'm also having problems sleeping. For some reason, I've been waking up around 40 to 20 minutes too early every morning. What kind of mental illness does that qualify me for?

Keep in mind that everyone has problems. It's only when it gets to the point of being clinical impairment in certain areas. Just like medical students get paranoid of everything, some do the same with psychological disorders.
 
  • #69
DaveC426913 said:
Heh. When I first encountered this thread, I didn't notice it was you who posted it. But as I was going through it, I was thinking I would point you at it, to see how you scored.

I kind of got the feeling you would say that.
 
  • #70
Hmm I got 14 lol.
 
  • #71
20. I was hoping I'd score more.
 
  • #72
What's the point of this quiz? To see how much like an autistic person you are? I'm pretty sure that autism is supposedly genetic so how does a 'normal' person taking this test and scoing say 26 have anything to do with autism. Who cares if certain actions or personality traits you exhibit are associated with autism...?

This doesn't mean your autistic or you even have any form of autism...
 
  • #73
Sorry! said:
What's the point of this quiz? To see how much like an autistic person you are? I'm pretty sure that autism is supposedly genetic so how does a 'normal' person taking this test and scoing say 26 have anything to do with autism. Who cares if certain actions or personality traits you exhibit are associated with autism...?

This doesn't mean your autistic or you even have any form of autism...
: blinks audibly :

It is not obvious to you that it is a preliminary test for autism? If a subject scores above 33 he or his caregiver might consider getting him properly tested for ASD.
 
  • #74
Sorry! said:
What's the point of this quiz? To see how much like an autistic person you are? I'm pretty sure that autism is supposedly genetic so how does a 'normal' person taking this test and scoing say 26 have anything to do with autism. Who cares if certain actions or personality traits you exhibit are associated with autism...?

This doesn't mean your autistic or you even have any form of autism...

To add to Dave's comment I believe that part of the point (as far as it being posted here at least) is tracking corrolations between 'scientific thinking' and autistic behavior patterns. If you look at some of 27's earlier posts he has referenced statistics that show an interesting relationship.
 
  • #75
@ Dave Lol, I don't see the correlation between a normal person taking this test and a potential autism candidate taking the test... Sure IF you are suspected to have autism then it could be a useful tool clearly since it has a low false-positive rate. (Successful up to 83% I believe)

TheStatutoryApe said:
To add to Dave's comment I believe that part of the point (as far as it being posted here at least) is tracking corrolations between 'scientific thinking' and autistic behavior patterns. If you look at some of 27's earlier posts he has referenced statistics that show an interesting relationship.

Hm I guess that's what I get for just skimming through the posts. All I saw was everyone posting their results. I was reading people saying things about different disease this test was indicative of that's what lead to my comment.

So the purpose of the test here is to show a correlation between scientific personalities and autisic personsonalities.
 
  • #76
12 for me.
 
  • #77
TheStatutoryApe said:
And maybe my anal retentiveness regarding the questions means my score is about right.

Never let it be said that your anal retentive attention to detail never yeilded positive results. (Can't be anal retentive if you don't have an anus!) :biggrin: lol
 
  • #78
Kronos5253 said:
Never let it be said that your anal retentive attention to detail never yeilded positive results. (Can't be anal retentive if you don't have an anus!) :biggrin: lol

I can't help but be reminded of the old Playboy cartoon where the nurse is trying to write something on her pad with a thermometer, then says "Hey! Some ******* has my pencil." :biggrin:
You can fill in the asterisks with a word related to the quote.
 
  • #79
Sorry! said:
What's the point of this quiz? To see how much like an autistic person you are? I'm pretty sure that autism is supposedly genetic so how does a 'normal' person taking this test and scoing say 26 have anything to do with autism. Who cares if certain actions or personality traits you exhibit are associated with autism...?

This doesn't mean your autistic or you even have any form of autism...

The point of placing it in a Science forum? I just wanted to see if I could replicate some of the findings the peer-review study had with scientists. The average for scientists wasn't high enough to be in AS/HFA range, but there was a significant correlation with "overall" score. Just because you scored in the teens doesn't mean there aren't any general patterns. I wanted to test for myself, or critical thinking.

You're correct, a score doesn't mean you have autism. It doesn't say whether you have it or not, but rather is supposed to be a good brief screening assessment. Just a thought, common sense would tell us if it's a good brief screening assessment, then it should do a good job of telling the difference between those who have already been diagnosed and the general population, and if it doesn't meet this then it's not good. In

(S. Baron-Cohen, S. Wheelwright, R. Skinner, J. Martin and E. Clubley, (2001)
The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) : Evidence from Asperger Syndrome/High Functioning Autism, Males and Females, Scientists and Mathematicians
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 31:5-17 http://autismresearchcentre.com/tests/aq_test.asp for PDFs of various peer-review studies)

the Asperger's/High Functioning Autism group's average was 36, and the general population 16. 80% of those with AS/HFA scored above 32, while only 2% of the general population did so. So in other words, it's not as good as the real deal, professionally diagnosed, but is quite good as a brief assessment. It also says in the peer review study that it doesn't matter how you score; it only says if you're above 32 and is causing impairment then you may want ask about diagnoses. 26 is a good cutoff for making sure most AS/HFA are included, although a few individuals score in the high teens (thus not as good as formal diagnosis, but as a brief screening assessment). They replicated the study in Japan, and the group averages for clinical and control groups were only 2 points off from this study! It's also been tested against those with OCD and social anxiety disorder, who have some correlation with the score, but not enough to be within autism-spectrum range.

How do you explain the results?
 
  • #80
Sorry! said:
@ Dave Lol, I don't see the correlation between a normal person taking this test and a potential autism candidate taking the test... Sure IF you are suspected to have autism then it could be a useful tool clearly since it has a low false-positive rate. (Successful up to 83% I believe)



Hm I guess that's what I get for just skimming through the posts. All I saw was everyone posting their results. I was reading people saying things about different disease this test was indicative of that's what lead to my comment.

So the purpose of the test here is to show a correlation between scientific personalities and autisic personsonalities.

OK, now I'm confused again. Are you asking why this test was created, or why it was posted here?


I was answering why the test was created. A full test for autism would be ridiculous to perform on the general population. But provide a preliminary test that people can take at their whim or that doctors can assign, and you can locate more potential subjects much cheaper - even accounting for false positives.
 
  • #81
Score: 10

I win.
 
  • #82
Pinu7 said:
The average person scores a 16.
Only four PF users, thus far, have scored below average.
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/2619/53899550.jpg
[/URL]

Makes you view in the mind's eye
 
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  • #83
27Thousand said:
Makes you view in the mind's eye

What?
 
  • #84
DaveC426913 said:
What?

Sorry, since "view in the mind's eye" can mean to form a mental concept, I was just hinting I found his visual helpful. I used the word conceptualize earlier, but someone accused me of using big words, so I have to adjust.
 
  • #85
I don't like tests like these. Questions like "I prefer to do things alone rather than with others" need a response like "sometimes" or "depends on what I'm doing". "Things" encompasses a lot of different activities and some I'd rather do alone.


I scored an 11. The lower the better, right? It means I'm further away from being autistic?
 
  • #86
25 for me, guess I'm an average PFer.
 
  • #87
36 for me.
 
  • #88
23, geez I can't seem to get away from this "below-average" label
 
  • #89
leroyjenkens said:
I don't like tests like these. Questions like "I prefer to do things alone rather than with others" need a response like "sometimes" or "depends on what I'm doing". "Things" encompasses a lot of different activities and some I'd rather do alone.
Tests like this make sense to those to whom they are targeted; they will know exactly what that sentence means. If the question don't make sense to you, that's a clue that you're not the target.

leroyjenkens said:
I scored an 11. The lower the better, right? It means I'm further away from being autistic?
It means you're ADHD. It's a wonder you finished the test! :biggrin:
 
  • #90
I scored a 34.
 

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