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{{Short description|Cognitive strategy in autism}}{{Update|date=July 2023|reason=This article does not include research past the early 2010s & leaves open whether monotropism is a current theory}}[[File:Tunnel vision sc.png|thumb|Monotropism is often described as "tunnel vision".]] |
{{Short description|Cognitive strategy in autism}}{{Update|date=July 2023|reason=This article does not include research past the early 2010s & leaves open whether monotropism is a current theory}}[[File:Tunnel vision sc.png|thumb|Monotropism is often described as "tunnel vision".]] |
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'''Monotropism''' is a person's tendency to focus their [[attention]] on a small number of interests at any time, tending to miss things outside of this attention tunnel. This [[cognitive strategy]] is posited to be the central underlying feature of [[autism]]. The theory of monotropism was developed by [[Dinah Murray]], Wenn Lawson and Mike Lesser starting in the 1990s, and first published in 2005.<ref name="Murray">{{cite journal |last1=Murray |first1=Dinah |author-link=Dinah Murray |last2=Lesser |first2=Mike |last3=Lawson |first3=Wenn |date=2005 |title=Attention, monotropism and the diagnostic criteria for autism |url=https://monotropism.org/murray-lesser-lawson/ |journal=[[Autism (journal)|Autism]] |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=139–56 |doi=10.1177/1362361305051398 |pmid=15857859 |s2cid=6476917 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Lawson's further work on the theory formed the basis of his PhD, ''Single Attention and Associated Cognition in Autism'', and book ''The Passionate Mind'' published in 2011. |
'''Monotropism''' is a person's tendency to focus their [[attention]] on a small number of interests at any time, tending to miss things outside of this attention tunnel. This [[cognitive strategy]] is posited to be the central underlying feature of [[autism]]. The theory of monotropism was developed by [[Dinah Murray]], Wenn Lawson and [[Mike Lesser]] starting in the 1990s, and first published in 2005.<ref name="Murray">{{cite journal |last1=Murray |first1=Dinah |author-link=Dinah Murray |last2=Lesser |first2=Mike |author-link2=Mike Lesser |last3=Lawson |first3=Wenn |date=2005 |title=Attention, monotropism and the diagnostic criteria for autism |url=https://monotropism.org/murray-lesser-lawson/ |journal=[[Autism (journal)|Autism]] |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=139–56 |doi=10.1177/1362361305051398 |pmid=15857859 |s2cid=6476917 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Lawson's further work on the theory formed the basis of his PhD, ''Single Attention and Associated Cognition in Autism'', and book ''The Passionate Mind'' published in 2011. |
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A tendency to focus attention tightly has a number of psychological implications. While monotropism tends to cause people to miss things outside their attention tunnel, within it their focused attention can lend itself to intense experiences, deep thinking and [[Flow (psychology)|flow states]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Andy |first1=McDonnell |url= |title=Good Autism Practice: Autism, Happiness and Wellbeing |last2=Damian |first2=Milton |date=2014 |website= |publisher=BILD |isbn=9781905218356 |editor-last=Jones |editor-first=Glenys |location=Birmingham, UK |pages=38–47 |language= |chapter=Going with the flow: reconsidering 'repetitive behaviour' through the concept of 'flow states' |author-link2=Damian Milton |access-date= |editor-last2=Hurley |editor-first2=Elizabeth}}</ref> However, this [[hyperfocus]] makes it harder to redirect attention, including starting and stopping tasks, leading to what is often described as [[executive dysfunction]] in autism, and [[stereotypies]] or [[perseveration]] where a person's attention is repeatedly pulled back to the same thing. |
A tendency to focus attention tightly has a number of psychological implications. While monotropism tends to cause people to miss things outside their attention tunnel, within it their focused attention can lend itself to intense experiences, deep thinking and [[Flow (psychology)|flow states]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Andy |first1=McDonnell |url= |title=Good Autism Practice: Autism, Happiness and Wellbeing |last2=Damian |first2=Milton |date=2014 |website= |publisher=BILD |isbn=9781905218356 |editor-last=Jones |editor-first=Glenys |location=Birmingham, UK |pages=38–47 |language= |chapter=Going with the flow: reconsidering 'repetitive behaviour' through the concept of 'flow states' |author-link2=Damian Milton |access-date= |editor-last2=Hurley |editor-first2=Elizabeth}}</ref> However, this [[hyperfocus]] makes it harder to redirect attention, including starting and stopping tasks, leading to what is often described as [[executive dysfunction]] in autism, and [[stereotypies]] or [[perseveration]] where a person's attention is repeatedly pulled back to the same thing. |
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Since the amount of attention available to a person is limited, [[cognitive processes]] are forced to compete. In the monotropic mind, interests that are active at any given time tend to consume most of the available attention, causing difficulty with tasks that demand a broad attention span, including conventional social interaction. [[Language development]] can be affected, both through the broad attention required and the psychological impact of language providing a tool for others to manipulate a child's interest system.<ref name="Murray"/> |
Since the amount of attention available to a person is limited, [[cognitive processes]] are forced to compete. In the monotropic mind, interests that are active at any given time tend to consume most of the available attention, causing difficulty with tasks that demand a broad attention span, including conventional social interaction. [[Language development]] can be affected, both through the broad attention required and the psychological impact of language providing a tool for others to manipulate a child's interest system.<ref name="Murray"/> |
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Monotropic individuals have trouble processing multiple things at once, particularly when it comes to multitasking while listening. For example, some have trouble taking notes in class while listening to a teacher,<ref name="Bogdashina">{{cite book |last=Bogdashina |first=Olga |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RCQ1U38WmjIC&dq=monotropism+autism&pg=PA11 |title=Sensory Perceptual Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome: Different Sensory Experiences – Different Perceptual Worlds |publisher=[[Jessica Kingsley Publishers]] |year=2003 |isbn=9781843101666 |location=London}}</ref> and may find it difficult to read a person's face and comprehend what they are saying simultaneously.<ref name="Murray" /> A common tendency is for individuals to avoid complex sensory environments because of this hypersensitivity.<ref name="Bogdashina" /> A monotropic mind may suppress attention or focus on something else, or develop great depth in a given interest or skill rather than gaining breadth in an array of interests.<ref name="Lesser">{{cite book |last1=Lesser |first1=Mike |url= |title=The Neurodiversity Reader |last2=Murray |first2=Dinah |publisher=Pavilion |year=2020 |isbn=9781912755394 |editor-last=Murray |editor-first=Dinah |editor-link=Dinah Murray |pages= |chapter=Mind as a Dynamical System: Implication for Autism |author-link2=Dinah Murray |orig-date=1998 |editor-last2=Milton |editor-first2=Damian |editor-link2=Damian Milton |editor-last3=Ridout |editor-first3=Susy |editor-last4=Martin |editor-first4=Nicola |editor-last5=Mills |editor-first5=Richard |chapter-url=https://monotropism.org/dinah/mind-as-a-dynamical-system/}}</ref> |
Monotropic individuals have trouble processing multiple things at once, particularly when it comes to multitasking while listening. For example, some have trouble taking notes in class while listening to a teacher,<ref name="Bogdashina">{{cite book |last=Bogdashina |first=Olga |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RCQ1U38WmjIC&dq=monotropism+autism&pg=PA11 |title=Sensory Perceptual Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome: Different Sensory Experiences – Different Perceptual Worlds |publisher=[[Jessica Kingsley Publishers]] |year=2003 |isbn=9781843101666 |location=London}}</ref> and may find it difficult to read a person's face and comprehend what they are saying simultaneously.<ref name="Murray" /> A common tendency is for individuals to avoid complex sensory environments because of this hypersensitivity.<ref name="Bogdashina" /> A monotropic mind may suppress attention or focus on something else, or develop great depth in a given interest or skill rather than gaining breadth in an array of interests.<ref name="Lesser">{{cite book |last1=Lesser |first1=Mike |url= |title=The Neurodiversity Reader |last2=Murray |first2=Dinah |publisher=[[Pavilion Books|Pavilion]] |year=2020 |isbn=9781912755394 |editor-last=Murray |editor-first=Dinah |editor-link=Dinah Murray |location=Shoreham by Sea |pages= |chapter=Mind as a Dynamical System: Implication for Autism |author-link=Mike Lesser |author-link2=Dinah Murray |orig-date=1998 |editor-last2=Milton |editor-first2=Damian |editor-link2=Damian Milton |editor-last3=Ridout |editor-first3=Susy |editor-last4=Martin |editor-first4=Nicola |editor-last5=Mills |editor-first5=Richard |chapter-url=https://monotropism.org/dinah/mind-as-a-dynamical-system/}}</ref> |
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== Implications for practice == |
== Implications for practice == |
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Revision as of 17:59, 30 July 2023
 | This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: This article does not include research past the early 2010s & leaves open whether monotropism is a current theory. (July 2023) |
Monotropism is a person's tendency to focus their attention on a small number of interests at any time, tending to miss things outside of this attention tunnel. This cognitive strategy is posited to be the central underlying feature of autism. The theory of monotropism was developed by Dinah Murray, Wenn Lawson and Mike Lesser starting in the 1990s, and first published in 2005.[1] Lawson's further work on the theory formed the basis of his PhD, Single Attention and Associated Cognition in Autism, and book The Passionate Mind published in 2011.
A tendency to focus attention tightly has a number of psychological implications. While monotropism tends to cause people to miss things outside their attention tunnel, within it their focused attention can lend itself to intense experiences, deep thinking and flow states.[2] However, this hyperfocus makes it harder to redirect attention, including starting and stopping tasks, leading to what is often described as executive dysfunction in autism, and stereotypies or perseveration where a person's attention is repeatedly pulled back to the same thing.
Characteristics
Since the amount of attention available to a person is limited, cognitive processes are forced to compete. In the monotropic mind, interests that are active at any given time tend to consume most of the available attention, causing difficulty with tasks that demand a broad attention span, including conventional social interaction. Language development can be affected, both through the broad attention required and the psychological impact of language providing a tool for others to manipulate a child's interest system.[1]
Monotropic individuals have trouble processing multiple things at once, particularly when it comes to multitasking while listening. For example, some have trouble taking notes in class while listening to a teacher,[3] and may find it difficult to read a person's face and comprehend what they are saying simultaneously.[1] A common tendency is for individuals to avoid complex sensory environments because of this hypersensitivity.[3] A monotropic mind may suppress attention or focus on something else, or develop great depth in a given interest or skill rather than gaining breadth in an array of interests.[4]
Implications for practice
 | This section's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (July 2023) |
To help autistic individuals in understanding and navigating the world, Murray et al. proposed in 2005 that certain steps could be helpful. These include:
- Increase connections with other people through the child's interests: 'start where the child is'.
- Allow them to pursue their own interests, and build understanding that way.
- Improve understanding in order to correct false or partial connections.
- Make tasks more attainable by decreasing the number and complexity of them.
- Make tasks and connections more meaningful.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Murray, Dinah; Lesser, Mike; Lawson, Wenn (2005). "Attention, monotropism and the diagnostic criteria for autism". Autism. 9 (2): 139–56. doi:10.1177/1362361305051398. PMID 15857859. S2CID 6476917.
- ^ Andy, McDonnell; Damian, Milton (2014). "Going with the flow: reconsidering 'repetitive behaviour' through the concept of 'flow states'". In Jones, Glenys; Hurley, Elizabeth (eds.). Good Autism Practice: Autism, Happiness and Wellbeing. Birmingham, UK: BILD. pp. 38–47. ISBN 9781905218356.
- ^ a b Bogdashina, Olga (2003). Sensory Perceptual Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome: Different Sensory Experiences – Different Perceptual Worlds. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. ISBN 9781843101666.
- ^ Lesser, Mike; Murray, Dinah (2020) [1998]. "Mind as a Dynamical System: Implication for Autism". In Murray, Dinah; Milton, Damian; Ridout, Susy; Martin, Nicola; Mills, Richard (eds.). The Neurodiversity Reader. Shoreham by Sea: Pavilion. ISBN 9781912755394.
Further reading
- Lawson, Wenn (2011). The Passionate Mind: How People with Autism Learn. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. ISBN 978-1-84905-121-7.
- Murray, Dinah (2021). "Monotropism: An Interest-Based Account of Autism". In Volkmar, Fred R. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders (2nd ed.). Springer. pp. 2954–2956. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-91280-6_102269. ISBN 978-3-319-91279-0.
- Murray, Fergus (30 November 2018). "Me and Monotropism: A unified theory of autism". The Psychologist. The British Psychological Society.
External links
- monotropism.org Information portal on monotropism, including an archive of Dinah Murray's work on the subject