Social camouflaging behaviours are often used by people with high autistic traits to negotiate a predominantly neurotypical social world. Previous discussion has associated camouflaging with a tendency to conform, although it has also been suggested that masking autistic tendencies may be a more specific motivating factor. The relationship between autistic traits and conformity is itself equivocal, suggesting that it may not necessarily be a driving force for social camouflaging in this group.
To better characterise the relationship between these factors, we conducted an exploratory questionnaire study comprising measures of social conformity (Tendency to Conform Questionnaire), autistic traits (AQ), social camouflaging (CAT-Q), and personality (BFI-10). Data from N = 511 adults, including University students and members of online communities, revealed negative relationships between conformity and both camouflaging and autistic traits, suggesting that camouflaging is less likely to be driven by a tendency to ‘fit in’. Regression analysis of camouflaging traits further revealed a negative role for conformity, although this was lost when AQ scores were incorporated, indicating a more fundamental explanatory role for autistic traits.
This first large-scale assay of conformity in relation to these measures clarifies its contribution to camouflaging behaviours, providing a springboard for more nuanced examination. No funds, grants, or other support was received for conducting this study or for preparation of this manuscript. School of Psychology, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK Brain Research and Imaging Centre, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK Centre for the Psychology of Health and Wellbeing, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK The authors declare no competing interests.
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Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-72656-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-72656-y
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