So which is it: do Aspies follow directions literally...

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Or do they have frequently defy authority? I've heard both said of Aspies before and they contradict each other.

I've always been the kind of person who follows directions literally. I'm the kind of person who absolutely refuses to break any law. I'm the kind of person who always was quiet when teacher instructed the class to be quiet (then again, I didn't really have any friends to talk to anyway). I'm the kind of person who always got excellent grades and couldn't understand why some people didn't care about grades as much as I did.

It depends on the person and the situation.

Tim

i agree...

Yes and no.

I'm quite capable of being cooperative, and probably usually am.
but I'm also capable of being very uncooperative, an' I think I have good reason.

But I like to pick my conflicts.

It depends on what's required of the situation.
Of course, what's required often takes a little while to figure out. I've done better on creative projects in which I was given a lot of artistic liberty than on projects and assignments where I had to do everything a firm, linear way per instructions.

Depends on who's giving the instructions, when they're given and how. Oh, and whether I mind following them or not. I tend more towards obeying than not, although if I dislike whoever is telling me what to do I'm more apt to passively resist by doing whatever is required in as shoddy a way as I can, then going back to whatever else I wanted to do.

I'm the exact opposite. I'm great at assignments where everything has to be done a certain way, but I'm absolutely horrible at being creative.

I think the confusion lies in whether the instructions given are "right" either procedurally or morally correct. I think some Aspies (like myself) have a strict sense of right and wrong or learn a proper procedure and when the instructions contradict that then you are often seen as being difficult or defiant (or obsessive) because you can not easily go along with what you know to be in error. Many times instructions are given just because someone wants things done quickly or in a certain way but that does not mean correctly - for example employers who want people to skimp on safety rules to speed things up.

For me, it's related to whether instructions make sense to me (how to apply rules, how much leeway there is in certain parameters), and if I understand the reason(s) why this person is telling me to do this activity.
I both fear (obey) & resent (resist) authority-I give off mixed/conflicting messages frequently.
I'm a true paradox-sure many people (regardless of dx or not) have these conflicting impulses. We (human beings in general) see someone's behavior & conclude they're either doing one or the other (obeying or resisting), instead of realizing it's likely a blend of motivations being expressed. There's different answer I'd give for each situation, can't see the underlying pattern to explain it succinctly.
As a kid, didn't occur to me to question my teachers (as to why we did stuff), so I was obedient. Was afraid of their negative attention, so I sought their praise-in my behavior & assignments. Socially, I questioned a lot-which meant I didn't get along w/peers, because I resisted their peculiar customs. Didn't make sense why I ought to be like them & do what they did, yet I resented their group-ness, because I was left out.
Nowadays, I'm still a combination of these tendencies. As an adult, I avoid "persons in authority" as much as possible, so less contact translates to less likelihood of my "wierdness" showing & getting me in trouble. If they're people who need to know my problems in order to help me (such as welfare & therapy), I try to be cooperative & attend all my appts. Socially, I'm still very iconoclastic, unconventional, and ill-at-ease "going through the motions".
Tough for me to obey another person without having to think it over beforehand-which is good, except when it matters. For instance, when my boyfriend & I are in the car & there's roadkill, he'll suddenly say "don't look", so I'll miss seeing it. I don't automatically do so, I ask why, then it's too late & I've been grossed out and upset at seeing what's on the road.

your a product of your enviroment,lifes a game
PLAY HARD

Last edited by TheSynic on 18 Nov 2006, 6:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Depends on what it is.. If I've never done it before, I'll want precise instructions so I can minimize my error

i.e.
Directions to a new city

I follow the rules, except when it comes to downloading music.

I'm a little unsure of how to react to authority figures (I think it's because I subconsciously associate certain methods of authority with a subtle form of bullying) but when I see that the person treats others fairly and is worthy of their role,then I respect them.
It only becomes a problem if the person is obviously abusing their position.An extreme example is a traffic warden being so power-mad they would issue a ticket to an ambulance attending an accident.That sort of thing really annoys me.
On the whole,as long as the rules make sense and are applied fairly then I'd always try
to comply. If I think the rules don't make sense however,I'd be inclined to question them.
I like to consider that as being more to do with democracy than rebellion.

I tend to take things literally. Unfortunately many people say something, but mean something else. Like when asking a girl out. No means no. Well, that is seldom the case. If they say no, for me then it is no. Very simple. But for most everyone else, no doesn't really mean no. Also in a legal setting what is put on paper means something else entirely. What happens in legal settings are beyond my comprehension.

i agree with walk-in-the-rain
i'm very obedient and like a set of instructions to follow but only if i decided the rules are morally and logically right
so i wouldn't follow any rules intructing to harm people for exemple

Like most here I will only follow instructions if I understand their purpose and they seem "correct" to me. I am literally incapable of intentionally making a mistake Id rather not follow the instructions and do it my own way and get in trouble.

As for authority it really depends on whether or not I respect the person.

I wont obey authority simply because they are in a position of authority. Those are all too easy to come by. Unless the person has some intrinsic merit that I respect I have no inclination to listen to them whatsoever.

Oh Ill follow their direction if its something I want to do anyways due to it benefiting me in some way but otherwise your more likely to get brushed off and ignored.