Leading Autism Researcher Disavows 30-Year Theory Over Misuse

Simon Baron-Cohen told The Guardian he regrets coining the "extreme male brain" framework, now seeing sex-based brain labels as unhelpful. The theory has fueled a persistent falsehood: that autistic people lack empathy. Baron-Cohen clarifies they experience affective empathy normally but may process cognitive empathy differently. Cambridge University's institutional pages still promote the framework unchanged, leaving a disconnect between his evolved thinking and the university's messaging.