Assessment (Portfolio): 2 x 250 word peer-review critique posters - Essay Example

Critique Posters Critique Posters Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) represent neurodevelopment disorders typified by difficulties in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, restricted interests, and communication problems. The study utilized method gauging high functioning ASD of 14 individuals and 14 controls in which the IQ and handedness engaged in the experiment. The results implied that differential neurodevelopmental trajectories manifest in individuals with ASD, and some differences linked to diagnostic behaviors.

A number of areas were considerably thinner within the autism group considered being the basis of empathic and imitative behavior. Thinning also manifested in areas engaged in facial expression production and recognition, as well as in areas engaged in social cognition. In the direct measurement of cortical mantle thickness, the researchers found significant thinning of areas belonging to the MNS (STS, IPL, and IFC), as well as social cognition in individuals with ASD (Hadjikhani, Joseph, Snyder, & Tager-Flusberg, 2013).

Any dysfunction of the DNS can result in several clinical features that typify autism such as the failure to establish reciprocal social and emotional abilities.Critique The study can be criticized for failing to answer questions regarding the functioning of the MNS in autism, especially relating to whether MNS primarily deficient and whether the behavioral therapy manifests any impact on the MNS structure and function. Based on the study, it is still unclear how the developmental trajectories of abnormalities in the brain structures occur, and how they connect to social and communicative impairments remain unclear.

Implications of the Study The study conclusions manifest huge implications given that early screening and diagnosis is a key aspect of autism research. The study confirms the notion that autism may be the result of dysfunctions of the distributed neural circuitry for social cognition such as the MNS. This study can have significant implication for the development and use of early behavioral interventions directed precisely at training basic mechanisms supported by the MNS.2Findings of the StudyThe study investigated how participant’s stress levels varied in a dressage competition compared to a training session as highlighted by salivary alpha amylase and cortisol concentration.

Cortisol is a critical hormone within the regulation of the stress response along the HPA axis and salivary cortisol employed as a measure of free circulating cortisol levels. The differences in amylase and cortisol responsiveness may be the outcome of the differences in the two stress response systems.The study on stress levels and the consequent effect on performance found that competition mean anxiety scores are higher relative to training score as hypothesized. Participants were found to be highly likely to be psychologically stressed in the competition compared to the training session, yet the participants did not report significantly psychological anxiety in the competition relative to the training session.

The study findings imply that the higher levels of stress participants experienced in the competition, the higher the percentage score, and the better the performance.The representation and the background information on the study are appropriate and useful in the analysis of the study. This approach can be criticized owing to the possibility of sampling bias, which can yield to skewed results. Critique The study does not mention a control group to compare the results. The study can be criticized based on the fact that the subjects used were relatively small.

The number of hormonal examinations undertaken was limited and salivary cortisol levels might vary according to the length of time participant rode the same horse in the training and competition conditions. The study has significant implication on sport performance and can inform efforts to improve performance in sport. The difference in sports performance suggested arising from the added stress competition posed on athletes compared to training caused by a high degree of perceived significance.

ReferencesHadjikhani, N., Joseph, R. M., Snyder, J., & Tager-Flusberg, H. (2013). Anatomical differences in the mirror neuron system and social cognition network in Autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 7 (1), 141-150.