CHEATER DETECTION IS PRESERVED IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

The human mind is designed to function in coordination with the social and non-social environment in which our species evolved. A specialized cheater detection mechanism allows humans to be one of a very few species who engage in delayed reciprocal altruism. This mechanism is designed to be vigilant for cheaters, but to allow for honest mistakes, since incorrectly excluding a social exchange partner would be costly. People with autism spectrum …