~ Theory of Mind ~
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Theory of Mind (ToM) is an interesting concept that has been gaining considerable attention since it was first discovered and coined by psychologist David Premack in 1978 when he was working with Sarah the chimpanzee.
Stated simply, ToM is a concept based upon early brain development to explain the cognitive ability to attribute mental states to others, and to explain, interpret, and predict their behaviors. The video to your left describes the well-known experiment that best illustrates the concept of ToM, called the False-Belief Test. Initially it was understood that children age three or younger, are unable to pass this test, but it was |
discovered in 2005 that in fact many children as young as 18 months of age are able to pass this test and hence attribute mental states to others. Take a moment to watch this brief video to better understand both this concept and the experiment that tests the ability. Since this discovery of younger children being able to have ToM, this concept has been given a new name, ironic as it is, called the Theory-Theory. Theory-theory can be seen as the exact opposite of John Locke's famous tabula rasa, which was based upon the assumption that children are born a blank slate, and has been discredited long ago. In sum, theory-theory states that children actually possess a rather powerful innate representational system that aides them immensely in being able to then acquire these higher-order cognitive functions faster then if they had to acquire these functions with no basis or platform to start with.
It should be pointed out that those with autism and lower-functioning Asberger's are by diagnostic definition unable to pass the ToM False-Belief test as these children are significantly more egocentric. These children who do not possess ToM are known to have what is referred to as a mindblindness. Included in the definition of mindblindness is a lack of empathy, the inability to put oneself in the shoes of another, and should not be confused with sympathy which is to feel bad or have sorrow for another.
ToM is technically not considered to be an executive function per se, as it involves more than just one area of the brain. And while a good portion of the area involved in this cognitive function is subserved by the Ventromedial portion of the PFC (VmPFC) that is part of the executive functions, ToM also involves two other known areas, the superior temporal sulcus, and the temporal-parietal junction (TPJ), and hence it is given its own section here.
Although discovered and coined by David Premack, ToM is more often-than-not associated with psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen and his work with differentiating normal vs. autistic and spectrum children as it concerns their early development of cognitive functioning. He provides an example whereby a child who is developmentally neurotypical (normal, non-spectrum) at around age 4, is shown a candle that is fashioned to look like an apple. When asked to describe the object, the neurotypical child will call it a candle or a candle that looks like an apple. Spectrum children at the same age will describe the object only as an apple, failing to see the reality of the situation (an object that is made to look like something else), and can only see the representation as reality.
Want to know more? You can follow my blogs, attend a webinar or seminar, or take an e-course.
It should be pointed out that those with autism and lower-functioning Asberger's are by diagnostic definition unable to pass the ToM False-Belief test as these children are significantly more egocentric. These children who do not possess ToM are known to have what is referred to as a mindblindness. Included in the definition of mindblindness is a lack of empathy, the inability to put oneself in the shoes of another, and should not be confused with sympathy which is to feel bad or have sorrow for another.
ToM is technically not considered to be an executive function per se, as it involves more than just one area of the brain. And while a good portion of the area involved in this cognitive function is subserved by the Ventromedial portion of the PFC (VmPFC) that is part of the executive functions, ToM also involves two other known areas, the superior temporal sulcus, and the temporal-parietal junction (TPJ), and hence it is given its own section here.
Although discovered and coined by David Premack, ToM is more often-than-not associated with psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen and his work with differentiating normal vs. autistic and spectrum children as it concerns their early development of cognitive functioning. He provides an example whereby a child who is developmentally neurotypical (normal, non-spectrum) at around age 4, is shown a candle that is fashioned to look like an apple. When asked to describe the object, the neurotypical child will call it a candle or a candle that looks like an apple. Spectrum children at the same age will describe the object only as an apple, failing to see the reality of the situation (an object that is made to look like something else), and can only see the representation as reality.
Want to know more? You can follow my blogs, attend a webinar or seminar, or take an e-course.