Appreciation of Social Norms in Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum

Abstract

Objective: Anecdotal reports regarding high-functioning adults with agenesis of the corpus callosum (AgCC) suggest that they often lack psychosocial insight. We attempted to determine whether adults with AgCC are able to correctly identify appropriate behaviors within social contexts using the Social Norms Questionnaire. Method: The Social Norms Questionnaire measures knowledge of norms and judgments of what is appropriate to do in particular contexts. It was administered online to individuals with AgCC and control participants. Results: Individuals with AgCC scored significantly lower in understanding social norms than controls, tending to over-adhere to social norms significantly more than controls. There was no significant difference regarding breaking of social norms. Conclusion: Results suggest that adults with AgCC have deficient judgment regarding the nuances of appropriate behaviors in social contexts. They adhere to social norms concretely, lacking the ability to integrate context in social scenarios to make appropriately nuanced judgments.