Page 20 - Demo

Chapter 118(Ewing et al., 2015; Hooper et al., 2019; Maurer et al., 2018), individuals with social anxiety are less inclined to trust in general (Rodebaugh et al., 2016, 2017) compared to controls. Moreover, both individuals on the autism spectrum and individuals with social anxiety perceive themselves as less socially competent and liked (Voncken et al., 2020; Williamson et al., 2008). There is some evidence that this self-perception matches others%u2019 impressions: they actually make less positive impressions in interactions compared to controls, which is also reflected in others%u2019 relatively lower wish for future interactions (Morrison et al., 2020; Voncken & B%u00f6gels, 2008). Yet, specifically in the case of social anxiety, negative self-perceptions are highly exaggerated compared to negative perceptions by others (Christensen et al., 2003). Generalizing negative beliefs about one%u2019s abilities, which are formed in interactions with others, might tremendously contribute to a reduced confidence in social skills and affect social functioning in social anxiety (M%u00fcller-Pinzler et al., 2019). Some theoretical perspectives suggest that impairments in social functioning would arise from a decreased social motivation. In the case of autism, the social motivation theory suggests that, overall, less attention would be employed to social information, which has a lower reward value (Chevallier et al., 2012; however see Bottini, 2018). In the case of social anxiety, theoretical accounts propose that reduced social motivation would be rooted in behavioural inhibition, that is, the temperamental trait to avoid unknown people and novel situations which elicit distress (Fox et al., 2021; Kimbrel et al., 2012), or in overvaluing social rank over affiliation in social situations, hindering the approach of others (GilboaSchechtman, 2020). Importantly, both individuals with social anxiety and a substantial share of individuals on the autism spectrum do not report a reduced need to interact and build relations with others, and they also participate in social life (L. H. Brown et al., 2007; Chan et al., 2023). The quality of social interactions is, however, perceived to be lower by individuals with social anxiety compared to controls (Villanueva et al., 2021), and they report to prefer to be alone in the context of unfamiliar others (L. H. Brown et al., 2007). Social interaction difficulties in autism have been reflected in less involvement in peer relationships as well as in social and recreational activities (Orsmond et al., 2004). Hence, alterations in social functioning occur in both conditions and seem to hamper forming new, meaningful relationships with others. While the general profiles as well as theoretical perspectives on the aetiology of social anxiety and autism