What is the THEORY of MIND?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a brain development condition characterized by communication skills problems social and behavior or interests considered normal for the child's age. It often presents with intellectual disability and with deficits in various areas such as language, social cognition, executive functions and central coherence.

According to the theory of social cognition, many of the interpersonal and academic difficulties seen in ASD derive from the lack of the theory of mind. This theory refers to the ability of children to represent and understand the mental states of others, such as goals, emotions and beliefs. In this Psychology-Online article, we explain theory of mind and its application in boys and girls with autism.

Index

1. What is the theory of mind
2. What is autism
3. The theory of mind and autism
4. Theory of Mind in Autistic Children
5. Activities to work on the theory of mind

The definition of the theory of mind delves into philosophical concepts such as consciousness and reality. So what exactly is the theory of mind? The theory refers to our

When we do that, what we are doing in our own mind is building a theory about what is going on in their minds and act on it. Their reactions are a test of the theory, telling us how accurate our assumptions are. Humans often do this with animals or plants and assume that they are having motivations and thoughts that they probably are not having or are not capable of having.

Importance of the theory of mind

Although most of us take for granted the idea that other people have the same mental makeup and the same ability to perceive, reason and feel that we philosophers, as early as the time of Descartes, realized that the process was not really simple. Without direct access to the minds of others, we have no choice but to make complex inferences. Even without us being aware of it, the brain constantly works by itself to test assumptions and make adjustments.

Autism is a developmental neurobiological disorder that involves deficiencies in communication and social relationships. It is known as ASD, autism spectrum disorder. People with ASD may exhibit repetitive patterns of behavior or interests. Their social skills they often remain stunted or non-existent for most of their lives. Autism can manifest itself after 3 years and lasts a lifetime.

Boys and girls with ASD present coexisting cognitive difficulties in the following areas:

• Executive functions: term that encompasses all cognitive processes that include working memory, inhibition, planning and flexibility.
• Central coherence: term that refers to a specific cognitive style that includes the limited ability to understand broader contexts.
• Theory of mind: Regarding the theory of mind in autism, people with ASD are unable to build a mental model of other minds. They cannot imagine a brain that is not their own, that does not have the same information, one with different motivations, with other feelings and other abilities. Autistic people are profoundly incapable of putting themselves in someone else's shoes and thus of feeling empathy or even of communicate effectively.

Linking theory of mind and autism (ASD) provides some basis for the autism treatment. One of the learning theory exercises that is used as therapy is the applied behavior analysis (ABA). The objective of this activity is to deal with the behavioral aspects that derive from social or communication deficits.

The use of ABA in perspective training is common today, as well as for verbal skills and other types that can be built and trained through behavior reinforcement. Many therapists believe that theory of mind can also be trained in individuals with ASD. The fact that ABA therapy has been shown to improve social behavior among people with ASD is an encouraging sign that this may be true.

Although it may never be possible for some individuals with ASD to actually construct a theory of mind in the way that most people do. Even so, we must bear in mind that, from a functional perspective, children with autism may be able to learn to perform similar behaviors or some kind of simulation that can be as effective as the processes behind the theory of mind in neurotypical individuals (people who do not present any type of divergence cerebral).

There are numerous observational studies of the brain that have suggested that certain areas of the brain are not being activated in those children with ASD who cannot easily form a theory of mind. Even so, we still do not know definitively the roots of the disorder nor the definitive answer that explains the inability to apply the theory of the mind of autistic children.

Today, research continues to advance to uncover the mysterious causes and mechanisms of ASD. Therefore, the inability to form the theory of mind could not provide information about autism.

There are different examples to find out if the theory of mind is developed. Next, we will see an experiment on the theory of mind:

• Sally and Anne test: Sally and Anne's experiment helps to define whether a child is capable of applying the theory of mind. Next, we will explain this theory of mind activity:
  Sally and Anne are playing. They have a basket, a ball, and a box. Sally puts the ball in the basket, covers it and leaves. Then Anne takes the ball and puts it in the box. The question in the exercise is to know where Sally will look for the ball when she returns. In the basket or in the box?
  People with developed theory of mind will indicate that Sally will look for the ball in the basket, since she has not seen how Anne moved it. On the other hand, people who have difficulties using the theory of mind, as in the case of individuals with ASD will say that the ball is in the box due to the inability to attribute mental states to other people.

There are activities to work on the theory of mind in boys and girls. Next, we will see real examples to develop the theory of mind according to age:

• From 3 to 6 years: paint faces that express emotions, use stories and cartoons to explain emotions different emotions of the characters or play with the children to guess what they think and feel others.
• From 6 to 12years: use masks with different emotional expressions and have the boys and girls represent that emotion. The dialogues and debates of the infants also help to work on the theory of the mind.They learn to listen and respect the turn to speak.
• Ages 12 and up: reflect with the children about different events and situations. For example, helping them to put themselves in other people's shoes when there is a conflict.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to What is the theory of mind?, we recommend that you enter our category of Neurological disorders.

• Cornago, A and Navarro, M. (2012). Manual of theory of mind for children with autism: exercises, materials and strategies, people perceive, feel, think or believe differently. Valencia: Psylicom.
• Hervás, A. (2017). Emotional dysregulation and autism spectrum disorders. Neurology Journal, 64 (1), 17-25.
• Wellman, H. (2017). Constructing the Mind: How The Theory of Mind Develops. Santiago de Chile: UC Editions.