Expert: Trey McGowan - 2/11/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello
 I have a question. What is "Lack of socail and emotional reciprocity," Can you provide some example that I can understand please

ANSWER: Hi there, Ryan!

'Lack of social and emotional reciprocity' essentially means that they do not understand how to return the social and emotional 'cues' that most people would be able to learn, or instinctively know, throughout their life.

As a very simplistic, and by no means unique, example, imagine if you met someone who you have met once before and been introduced to. They smile, say 'Hi, Ryan!', and extend their hand. Instinctively (and because you have learned in the past), you recognize that you're supposed to smile back, shake that hand, and greet them back using their name. An individual who has a lack of social and emotional reciprocity may not immediately recognize the smile as a friendly gesture, be uncertain of how to react to the name use from a near-stranger, and even if they know that they're being asked to shake hands, they may not know *why* they're supposed to do it.

Hopefully that was a good answer to your question! Questions, comments, feedback, follow-ups? Feel free to ask!

Trey

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Now are idosyncratic manerisms the steriotyped repeatative behaiviors? Could a blunted affect be the same as lack of socail and emotional reciprocity?

Answer
Hi there, Ryan!

You know, I would swear I answered this question before. My apologies.

Anyhow, the answer, fairly simply, is 'yes'. The terms are synonymous enough that it could be used in the same way, and the concept for both of them (even if not the *exact* meaning) is identical.

As usual, further questions, comments, feedback, follow-ups, are welcome!

Trey