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Article
Opportunity Costs, Cognitive Biases, and Autism
Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences (2025)
  • Sergio Da Silva, Federal University of Santa Catarina
  • Maria Fiebig, Federal University of Santa Catarina
  • Raul Matsushita, University of Brasilia
Abstract
Do individuals with autism overlook opportunity costs? Considering the mediating role of cognitive biases and utilizing an AI-driven experiment, our provisional answer is yes. Cognitive biases can severely distort the accurate calculation of opportunity costs, which is essential for making optimal decisions by clearly understanding the trade-offs involved in pursuing a particular course of action. In turn, biased information processing may contribute to developmental disorders such as autism that are marked by difficulties with social interaction, communication, and restricted or repetitive behaviors. We developed a 20-question scale to assess the neglect of opportunity costs, targeting specific cognitive biases, and compared the results with the RAADS-R autism scale. We find that individuals scoring low on the opportunity cost scale, due to these cognitive biases, are likely to score higher on the RAADS-R, aligning their decision-making biases with traits typical of the autism spectrum.
Keywords
  • autism,
  • autism spectrum disorder,
  • opportunity costs,
  • cognitive biases
Publication Date
2025
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jmms12010011
Citation Information
Sergio Da Silva, Maria Fiebig and Raul Matsushita. "Opportunity Costs, Cognitive Biases, and Autism" Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences Vol. 12 Iss. 1 (2025) p. 11 ISSN: 2392-7674
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/sergiodasilva/353/