Toward a deeper characterization of the social phenotype of Williams syndrome: The association between personality and social drive.
Rowena et al. (2014) show that affectionate closeness, not social dominance, powers Williams syndrome social life.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Ng et al. (2014) gave personality tests to people with Williams syndrome and to same-age peers. They wanted to see how the syndrome shapes social drive.
The team used a standard scale that measures Social Closeness — the wish for warm, affectionate ties. Higher scores mean you crave hugs, chats, and close friends.
What they found
The Williams group scored much higher on Social Closeness than typical peers. Affectionate relationship desire, not a need to dominate or impress, pushes their social behavior.
The data paint a clear picture: teach reciprocity and warmth, not assertiveness tricks, if you want social growth in this group.
How this fits with other research
Libero et al. (2016) asked parents the same question and got the same answer — kids with Williams syndrome rush toward strangers. Parents, however, warned that each child is different; some are bold, others only mildly friendly.
Baker et al. (2010) showed that even when a stranger’s face is hidden, preschoolers with Williams syndrome still step close. This supports Rowena’s claim that the drive is about closeness, not just love of faces.
Tyrer et al. (2009) seems to disagree: they found social anxiety in Williams syndrome equals that of typical peers. High Social Closeness does not cancel worry; you can crave hugs and still fear rejection.
Why it matters
Use the child’s love of affection as your lever. Pair new peers or teachers with warm greetings, high-fives, or shared songs first. Skip dominance-based scripts like ‘win the conversation’; instead, reinforce reciprocal questions and gentle touches. Watch for anxiety cues — sweating, pacing, or withdrawal — and teach coping statements even while you foster friendly bids. A session that feels like a caring friendship club will keep the client engaged and safe.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Previous research has robustly established a Williams syndrome (WS) specific personality profile, predominantly characterized a gregarious, people-oriented, and tense predisposition. Extending this work, the aims of the current, cross-sectional study were two-fold: (1) to elucidate the stability of personality characteristics in individuals with WS and typically developing (TD) comparisons across development, and (2) to explore the personality attributes that may be related to the respective profiles of social functioning characterizing the two groups, which is currently poorly understood. The sample comprised of participants with WS and TD matched on chronological age. The test battery included the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) and the Salk Institute Sociability Questionnaire (SISQ), an index of real-life social behavior. The main results showed that compared to the TD individuals, the WS group were consistently rated higher in Social Closeness, and this trait remained stable across development. Interpersonal behaviors were best predicted by Social Closeness in WS and by Social Potency in TD. Regression analysis highlighted that while a central motive underlying the increased drive toward social interaction in individuals with WS pertains to a desire to form affectionate relationships, TD individuals by contrast are motivated by a desire to exert social influence over others (leadership, social-dominance) and Well-Being (positive emotional disposition). In conclusion, these findings provide novel insight into social motivational factors underpinning the WS social behavior in real life, and contribute toward a deeper characterization of the WS affiliative drive. We suggest potential areas for behavioral intervention targeting improved social adjustment in individuals with WS.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2014 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2014.04.015