Choice behavior in autistic adults: What drives the extreme switching phenomenon?

This study found that autistic adults tend to switch between choices more frequently than non-autistic adults when making repeated decisions. This switching happened even when they received no feedback about whether their choices were right or wrong. The researchers concluded this represents a different way of gathering information rather than a learning problem.

This study examined choice-switching behavior in 57 autistic and 57 non-autistic adults using the Iowa Gambling Task. Results replicated the extreme choice-switching phenomenon in autism (Cohen's d = 0.48), with autistic participants showing significantly more switching between options. Importantly, this switching occurred even when no feedback was provided (d = 0.52) and was not associated with learning impairments or loss sensitivity. The findings suggest this represents a distinct information sampling strategy rather than poor learning ability.

When combined with previous research in a meta-analysis, the choice-switching effect remained significant (d = 0.32), supporting its robustness across studies.

Results suggest autistic choice-switching represents an alternative information sampling strategy rather than a deficit. Clinicians should avoid pathologizing this behavior and instead consider how different decision-making styles might be accommodated in therapeutic and educational settings.

Single online study with moderate sample size. Study type not specified. Limited to US participants. The Iowa Gambling Task may not reflect real-world decision-making contexts. No information provided about participant characteristics beyond autism diagnosis.

Previous studies reported that autistic adolescents and adults tend to exhibit extensive choice switching in repeated experiential tasks. However, a recent meta-analysis showed that this switching effect was non-significant across studies. Furthermore, the relevant psychological mechanisms remain unclear. We examined the robustness of the extreme choice-switching phenomenon, and whether it is driven by a learning impairment, feedback-related aspects (e.g., avoiding losses), or alternatively a different information sampling strategy.

We recruited an online sample of 114 US participants (57 autistic adults and 57 non-autistic). All participants performed the Iowa Gambling task, a four-option repeated choice task. Standard task blocks were followed by a trial block with no feedback. The findings replicate the extreme choice switching phenomenon (Cohen's d = 0.48).

Furthermore, the effect was found with no difference in average choice rates denoting no learning impairment, and was even observed in trial blocks with no feedback (d = 0.52). There was no evidence that the switching strategy of autistic individuals was more perseverative (i.e., that similar switching rates were used in subsequent trial blocks). When adding the current dataset to the meta-analysis, the choice switching phenomenon is significant across studies, d = 0.32. The findings suggest that the increased choice switching phenomenon in autism may be robust and that it represents a distinct information sampling strategy and not poor implicit learning (or a bias in the sensitivity to losses).

Such extended sampling may underlie some of the phenomena previously attributed to poor learning.