Autobiographical Narratives in Williams Syndrome: Structural, Process and Content Dimensions

Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, with an intriguing cognitive phenotype. Previous studies found support for an atypical profile of fictional narrative production in WS (Gonçalves et al. The British Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 56 (111), 89-109, 2010 ). This study ai...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of developmental and physical disabilities 2011-08, Vol.23 (4), p.289-302
Main Authors: Gonçalves, Óscar F., Pinheiro, Ana P., Sampaio, Adriana, Sousa, Nuno, Férnandez, Montse, Henriques, Margarida
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavioral Science and Psychology
Child and School Psychology
Coherence
Developmental disabilities
Narratives
Neurodevelopmental disorders
Original Article
Pediatrics
Preservation
Psychology
Public Health
Williams syndrome
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Summary:Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, with an intriguing cognitive phenotype. Previous studies found support for an atypical profile of fictional narrative production in WS (Gonçalves et al. The British Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 56 (111), 89-109, 2010 ). This study aimed at testing if the same profile is observed when individuals with WS tell autobiographical narratives. Using a new scoring system, structural (coherence), process (complexity) and content (multiplicity) aspects of autobiographical narrative production were analyzed in WS. Results suggest that individuals with WS produce autobiographical narratives that are significantly less coherent and complex than typically developing controls, although similar to controls in terms of content diversity. These findings point out to deficits in autobiographical narrative production in WS, suggesting the relative preservation of the social dimension of narrative production. These results also support the hypothesis that fictional and autobiographical narrative production may rely on different neurocognitive mechanisms.
ISSN:1056-263X
1573-3580
DOI:10.1007/s10882-011-9228-2