---
abstract: "Hyper-systemizers are individuals displaying an unusually strong bias toward systemizing, i.e. toward explaining events and solving problems by appeal to mechanisms that do not involve intentions or agency. Hyper-systemizing in combination with deficit mentalizing ability typically presents clinically as an autistic spectrum disorder; however, the development of hyper-systemizing in combination with normal-range mentalizing ability is not well characterized. A review of anecdotal reports, survey-based measurements, and experimental studies of systemizing suggests the hypothesis that hyper-systemizing in the presence of normal-range mentalizing develops as an addiction syndrome driven by the positive affect associated with insight solutions. A neurocognitive model of hyper-systemizing as an outcome of insight addiction is constructed based on the incentive-sensitization model of addiction. If this model is correct, assaying subjects for bias toward systemizing or mentalizing would be expected to reveal significant activity differentials in temporal-parietal-frontal networks on cognitive tasks with systemizing or mentalizing components within the neurotypical population. Predictions of the model accessible to neurofunctional imaging, survey-based instruments and standard cognitive measures are outlined, and evidence pertaining to them considered.\r\n"
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- http://www.fieldsres.com
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- fieldsres@gmail.com
creators_name:
- family: Fields
given: Chris
honourific: ''
lineage: ''
date: 2010-10-04
date_type: submitted
datestamp: 2010-10-18 11:04:12
department: ~
dir: disk0/00/00/70/45
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editors_id: []
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eprint_status: archive
eprintid: 7045
fileinfo: /style/images/fileicons/application_pdf.png;/7045/1/insight%2D100723.pdf|/style/images/fileicons/application_pdf.png;/7045/4/insight%2Dpre%2D101004.pdf
full_text_status: public
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item_issues_comment: []
item_issues_count: 0
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item_issues_status: []
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keywords: 'Systemizing, Mentalizing, Development, Addiction, Insight, Default network, Analogy'
lastmod: 2011-03-11 08:57:45
latitude: ~
longitude: ~
metadata_visibility: no_search
note: Revised version
number: ~
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refereed: TRUE
referencetext: ~
relation_type: []
relation_uri: []
reportno: ~
rev_number: 18
series: ~
source: ~
status_changed: 2010-10-18 11:04:12
subjects:
- cog-psy
- neuro-psy
succeeds: 6907
suggestions: ~
sword_depositor: ~
sword_slug: ~
thesistype: ~
title: "From “Oh, OK” to “Ah, yes” to “Aha!”: Hyper-systemizing and the rewards of insight\r\n"
type: preprint
userid: 10352
volume: ~