What type of experiment was conducted by Baron-Cohen?

Baron-Cohen conducted a quasi-experiment, which is characterized by its use of pre-existing groups rather than random assignment to conditions. In his research on theory of mind, particularly in relation to individuals with autism, Baron-Cohen utilized groups that were already defined (such as children with autism and those with typical development) rather than randomly assigning participants to these groups. This design allowed for the exploration of differences in specific cognitive abilities between naturally occurring groups, thus providing insights into how autism affects social cognition.

This type of study typically measures and compares existing conditions and is particularly useful when ethical or practical considerations make random assignment impossible. In this case, the structure of the study was instrumental in drawing conclusions about the cognitive processing differences related to theory of mind across groups, making it a quasi-experimental design.