Intuitive Physics Test

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: 

• Anxiety
• Family

Web link to tool: 

Intuitive Physics Test

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): 

https://dx.doi.org/10.13072/midss.191