The notion that autism causes atheism has not been proved and criticisms of press insensitivity towards the issue have been leveled.<ref>[http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/all-autistic-kids-are-atheists-and-atheism-is-form-of-autism-says-association-head-.aspx?pageID=517&nID=45390 Likening of autistic kids to atheists causes fury], ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News, April/22/2013</ref>
== Atheism and intelligence ==
''See also:'' [[Atheism and intelligence]] and [[Atheism and the theory of multiple intelligences|Atheism and Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences]] and [[Causes of atheism]]
Within various countries, standardized [[intelligence testing|intelligence test]] (IQ) scores related to the issue of atheists/agnostics vs. theists intelligence scores yield conflicting results.<ref>
*[http://www.doxa.ws/other/smarter.html "Who is smarter; are atheists smarter than Christians? An examination of studies"] (2007). Doxa: Christian Thought in the 21st Century. Retrieved on October 29, 2014.
*[http://www.randalolson.com/2014/08/24/the-myth-of-the-smarter-atheist/ The myth of the smarter Atheist] by Randy Olson, Posted on August 24, 2014</ref> Part of the problem is that social scientists use variant definitions of atheism.<ref>Multiple references:
*Briggs, Dr. William M. (2013). [http://www.strangenotions.com/atheists-higher-iqs/ "Do atheists really have higher IQs than believers?"] Strange Notions. Retrieved on October 29, 2014.
*Wright, Bradley (January 26, 2012). [http://www.patheos.com/blogs/blackwhiteandgray/2012/01/how-many-americans-are-atheists-fewer-than-you-might-think/ "How many Americans are atheists? Fewer than you might think"]. Black, White and Gray. Retrieved on October 29, 2014.</ref> See also: [[Atheism, intelligence and the General Social Survey]]
However, within individuals, families and societies irreligion/religion can have an effect on intelligence - especially over time (See: [[Atheism and intelligence]]).
For more information, please see:
*[[Intelligence trends in religious countries and secular countries]]
*[[Atheism and the theory of multiple intelligences|Atheism and the theory of multiple intelligences]]
=== Study on emotional intelligence and religiosity ===
''See also:'' [[Atheism and emotional/intrapersonal intelligence|Atheism and emotional intelligence]] and [[Atheism and social/interpersonal intelligence|Atheism and social intelligence]]
A 2004 study by Ellen Paek examined the extent to which religious orientation/behavior and found significant positive correlations were found between level of religious commitment and an individual's perceived [[emotional intelligence]].<ref>''Journal of Organizational Behavior'', Paek, Ellen (2006). "[http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886906000961 Religiosity and perceived emotional intelligence among Christians". Personality and Individual Differences] (International Society for the Study of Individual Differences) 41 (3): 479–490</ref> See also: [[Atheism and emotional/intrapersonal intelligence|Atheism and emotional intelligence]]
According to the prominent brain researcher Antonio Damasio and other brain researchers, emotions play a critical role in high-level cognition and allow individuals to make better decisions.<ref>
*[http://intentionalworkplace.com/2012/03/15/how-emotion-shapes-decision-making/ How emotion affects decision making], The Intentional Workplace
*[http://people.hss.caltech.edu/~steve/bechara.pdf The role of emotion in decision-making: Evidence from neurological patients with orbitofrontal damage], Antoine Becharam, Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wup_K2WN0I When Emotions Make Better Decisions - Antonio Damasio] - short video
*[https://news.usc.edu/29569/Antonio-and-Hanna-Damasio-Receive-Honorary-Degrees/ News item about Professor Antonio Damasio], University of Southern California
</ref>
== Science journal and science magazine quotes about atheism and mental processes ==