Author of Tool:
Baron-Cohen, S. Wheelwright, S. Scahill, V. Lawson, J. and Spong, A.
Key references:
Baron-Cohen, S. Wheelwright, S. Scahill, V. Lawson, J. and Spong, A. (2001). Are intuitive physics and intuitive psychology independent? A test with children with Asperger Syndrome. Journal of Developmental and Learning Disorders 5:47-78
Primary use / Purpose:
The intuitive physics test contains 20 items designed to test the ability of “folk physics” (untaught understanding of physical causality/how mechanisms work). The items are images of mechanisms and questions about what will happen next.
Background:
The ability to understand how mechanisms work is shown to be a characteristic of autism spectrum disorders such as Aspergers. It is inversely correlated with “folk psychology” or understanding social causality (believed to be a female capability). Both skills are discussed in Baron-Cohen, Wheelwright, Scahill, Lawson and Spong (2001), in relation to theories of male brain and female brain.
Keywords:
Web link to tool:
Intuitive Physics Test
