theory of mind

• What is theory of mind?

  Our personal understanding of what other people are thinking and feeling
• What is theory of mind sometimes called?

  "mind-reading"
• What does theory of mind include?

  Knowledge that others' mental states may be different from one's own states and include beliefs, desires, intentions, emotions, and thoughts
• Theory of Mind as an Explanation for Autism suggests what?

  People with autism have problems taking the point of view of others
• What does TOM suggest about why autistic people have problems taking the point of view of others?

  Possibly due to a failure of an innate theory of mind mechanism
• People with autism have a problem with what?

  One of mind reading sometimes called mind-blindness
• Because of mind-blindness, autistic people cannot do what?

  Understand other people's intentions or emotions. People with autism also have a tendency to take literal interpretations.
• Provide an example of a false belief task.

  The Sally-Anne Study
• What is a false belief task used to assess?

  A child's understanding that other people can have beliefs about the world which contrast with reality
• Who conducted the Sally-Anne Study?

  Simon Baron-Cohen (1985)
• What were the three groups of children tested in the Sally-Anne Study?

  Those with autism, those with Down's syndrome and a control group with no developmental disorder
• The study involved showing the children a story involving what?

  Two dolls called Sally and Anne