Box plot showing the differences between male and female subsamples.

<p>Whiskers and box bands denote quartiles.Comparison using Student’s t-test for independent samples showed that males scored higher than females (t(591) = 4.655, p <0.001), meaning that the magnitude of autistic traits was higher in the former.</p

The Relationship between Temperament and Autistic Traits in a Non-Clinical Students Sample

<div><p>Since temperament affects the development of social behaviours and interpersonal relations, the possible links between autistic traits and temperament are of particular interest. The purpose of the study was to explore the relationships between autistic traits and temperamental characteristics in the framework of the Regulative Temperament Theory by Strelau, and the Emotionality, Activity and Sociability theory by Buss and Plomin, with particular emphasis on gender differences. The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Formal Characteristics of Behaviour – Temperament Inventory and Temperament Survey for Adults were administered. The participants were 593 university students, including 364 females and 229 males. Results showed positive correlations between autistic traits and Emotional Reactivity, Perseveration, Distress, Fear and Anger, and negative correlations with Activity, Briskness, Endurance and Sociability. The results of multiple regression analyses involving the Autism Spectrum Quotient score as a dependent measure were different for females and males. Results of exploratory PCA analysis showed that AQ score, Sociability and Activity loaded one factor (with AQ loading being opposite to two others). High AQ scorers demonstrated higher Emotional Reactivity, Perseveration, Distress and Anger, and lower Briskness, Endurance, Activity and Sociability as compared to norms for the general population. In this study we showed that temperament measures were able to identify items that correlated in parts with autistic traits, while other items were obverse. The relationships between temperament and autistic traits differ slightly between genders. We assume that with regard to the broader autism phenotype, temperaments might be helpful in characterizing healthy control samples.</p></div

The correlation plots shown for the strongest coefficient values in group of A—females, B-males.

<p>The correlation plots shown for the strongest coefficient values in group of A—females, B-males.</p

Scree plot of PCA involving the AQ (total result) and FCB-TI and EAS-TS PCA, and critical values of parallel analysis for the determination of significant eigenvalues.

<p>Scree plot of PCA involving the AQ (total result) and FCB-TI and EAS-TS PCA, and critical values of parallel analysis for the determination of significant eigenvalues.</p

Diagram showing tunnels and burrows dug by wild WWCPS rats (overhead view).

<p>Diagram showing tunnels and burrows dug by wild WWCPS rats (overhead view).</p

Results of Forward Entry Selection Regression Analysis in a group of females, involving Total-AQ variable as a predicted parameter and EAS-TS and FCB-TI scales as predictors.

<p>Note—significant values have been bolded.</p><p>Global results: R² = 0.22806; Adjusted R² = 0.217887; Sigma error = 4.027546; F(5,358) = 21,2255, p<0.00001.</p><p>Results of Forward Entry Selection Regression Analysis in a group of females, involving Total-AQ variable as a predicted parameter and EAS-TS and FCB-TI scales as predictors.</p

Experimental apparatus. 1– housing tank; 2– water-filled tank (A – shelter, B – plank, C – passage between tanks, D – heater and filter, E – cage).

<p>Experimental apparatus. 1– housing tank; 2– water-filled tank (A – shelter, B – plank, C – passage between tanks, D – heater and filter, E – cage).</p

The percentage of rats that swam and dove during the test.

<p>The percentage of rats that swam and dove during the test.</p

Descriptive statistics of FCB-TI and EAS-TS scales in high AQ scorers group and normalization in respective groups, as well as the results of their comparison with the t-test.

<p>* p < 0.05</p><p>** p < 0.01</p><p>***p < 0.001</p><p>Note: 1. Values of FCB-TI [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0124364#pone.0124364.ref044" target="_blank">44</a>] were taken for the 20–29 years age group; 2. Values from EAS-TS (Polish version) manual [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0124364#pone.0124364.ref046" target="_blank">46</a>] were combined across sex; 3. FCB-TI normalization group n = 1130; EAS-TS group n = 1613.</p><p>Descriptive statistics of the normalization groups come from the published manuals of the Polish version of the questionnaires [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0124364#pone.0124364.ref044" target="_blank">44</a>, <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0124364#pone.0124364.ref046" target="_blank">46</a>].</p><p>Descriptive statistics of FCB-TI and EAS-TS scales in high AQ scorers group and normalization in respective groups, as well as the results of their comparison with the t-test.</p

Diagram showing tunnels and burrows dug by Wistar rats (overhead view).

<p>Diagram showing tunnels and burrows dug by Wistar rats (overhead view).</p