Yukiko Kikuchi

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About

Dr. Yukiko Kikuchi is a leading researcher in social cognition and neurodevelopmental disorders, with a particular focus on autism spectrum disorder. Her work bridges cognitive psychology and moral philosophy, exploring how autistic individuals perceive and evaluate the minds of others. In her highly influential 2018 paper, "Mind perception and moral judgment in autism" (21 citations), Dr. Kikuchi challenged the traditional "mind blindness" theory of autism by demonstrating that autistic individuals do not lack a theory of mind but instead employ distinct cognitive pathways for mental state representation. This groundbreaking research revealed that autistic people can perceive agency and experience in others, yet may apply different moral frameworks when judging intentional harm versus accidental consequences. Her findings have reshaped our understanding of social cognition in autism, moving beyond deficit-based models to recognize alternative but equally valid forms of social reasoning. Dr. Kikuchi's work has profound implications for educational interventions and clinical practice, encouraging more nuanced approaches to supporting autistic individuals in social contexts. Her research continues to influence how we conceptualize the intersection of mind perception, moral judgment, and neurodiversity.