INTROVERSION AND AUTISM: A CONCEPTUAL …

INTROVERSION AND AUTISM: A CONCEPTUAL EXPLORATION OF THE PLACEMENT OF INTROVERSION ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM

by

JENNIFER ODESSA GRIMES B.A. Wellesley College

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts

in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in the College of Graduate Studies at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida

Spring Term 2010

?2010 Jennifer Odessa Grimes ii

ABSTRACT The conceptualization of the personality construct of introversion has been problematic since the term's inception due to the complexity and seemingly self-contradictory nature of the collection of attributes of which it is comprised. To advance the understanding of introversion, I propose that it is a continuous segment of the non-clinical part of the autism spectrum, and that it is not the same as the inverse of extraversion. When introversion and autism are placed on the same continuum, the nature of the relationship of the traits becomes more apparent, and new possibilities are available for exploration of both autism and introversion. This review of literature traces the origins and development of the concept of introversion and places it on the autism spectrum, demonstrating the apparent synonymous nature of the traits despite varying degrees of severity in expression. The current factorial structure of introversion demonstrates how autistic features interact to produce the personality dimension. Other factors, including genetic predisposition, relationships to the clinical and non-clinical symptoms of schizophrenia spectrum expression, and neurological findings that support the correlation will be considered. Finally, suggestions for future research and possible theoretical and empirical implications and applications are explored.

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In loving memory of Anthony Bibbo. iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My deepest gratitude and love for my family for their boundless love and support, especially Don, Cindy, Chris, and A.J. Grimes, Lucy Bibbo, and Lena and Joe Calagione. Thank you to my committee for their help and guidance through the development of the thesis: Shaun Gallagher, Jonathan Cheek, Jamie Schwartz, and Mason Cash.

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