Evolution of Mentalising

Question 1

define -Mentalising

Answer 1

To predict and explain behaviour by invoking abstract concepts like mind, desire, think and remember.

Question 2

What are the abilities associated with mentalising

Answer 2

Imagination, 
communication, 
social coordination,
gaze direction, 
understanding self.

Question 3

Why does Mentalising comes from natural selection

Answer 3

Advantageous for the individual, better to understand and predict behaviour.

Question 4

When did the development of self concept occur?

Answer 4

At some point in evolutionary history where individuals became aware of themselves in addition to the world around them

Question 5

Why don’t s simple species, like rats, have theory of mind?

Answer 5

Their behaviours can be explained by knowledge of reinforcement history, can’t predict human behaviour based on one aspect.

Question 6

Are we capable of mind reading?

Answer 6

No

Simply information that we have been exposed to.

Question 7

Does theory of mind count as ESP (extra sensory perception)

Answer 7

No

Just skilled observers.

Question 8

Do women have better developed theory of mind than men?

Answer 8

Better socially, and stronger willingness to reflect upon interactions and behaviours of others.

Question 9

Who lacks theory of mind?

Answer 9

Autism and Aspergers Syndrome.

Question 10

Who are the famous historical figures who had Autism ?

Answer 10

Newton
Wittgenstein
Hugh Blair of Boruge

Question 11

Can theory of mind be studied within the branch of experimental psychology?

Answer 11

Yes, measures of true belief, and false belief.

Question 12

What is a good test of true beliefs?

Answer 12

Unexpected transfer test (Maxi and the chocolate)

Deceptive Box Test (Smarties)

Question 13

Do Apes have theory of mind?

Answer 13

Chimps,
Bonbos
Gorillas
Have theory of mind due to common ancestor.

Question 14

When does gaze direction develop?

Answer 14

18 months expert
6 months simple shifting
- Butterworth

Question 15

What are the benefits of being able to track gaze direction?

Answer 15

Social referencing - Source, babies on top of the deep box.

Language development - Baldwin 1994, “wog” children learn from adult identification

Understanding the mind behind the utterance - Robinson and Mitchell 1992, material in the cupboard.

Question 16

Can Chimps follow gaze?

Answer 16

YES

Povinell and Eddy 1996, when obstructed on human side, placed head against the glass.

Question 17

Development of Self Knowledge, from Mirror-Self Recognition

Answer 17

Able to identify self in movement but not if stationary.

Question 18

Is there a difference between seeing reflection of self and seeing a video?

Answer 18

YES

Povinell et al. 1996

Question 19

When do children pass the mirror-self recognition test?

Answer 19

18 months

By touching red mark on own face.

Question 20

When do chimps pass the mirror-self recognition test?

Answer 20

8 years

Question 21

How many stages of development did Kohlberg come up with?

Answer 21

2
Stage 1: Gender Identification
Stage 2: Gender Permanence.

Question 22

What and when does Stage 1: Gender Identification involve?

Answer 22

Identify own gender correctly and consistently.

3 years old.

Question 23

What and when does Stage 2: Gender Permanence involve ?

Answer 23

Can judge that gender is stable and enduring.

6 years old.

Question 24

What are the components of gender identity?

Answer 24

Gender concept
Learning gender- appropriate behaviours and stereotypes
Identifying with parents
Developing gender preference

Question 25

When does the shift from a focus on physical aspects of self to psychological occur?

Answer 25

10+ shift to psychological.

Question 26

What were the results of Rosenberg 1967

Answer 26

70% of 10yrs old Mum correct

60% of 15yrs old they would be correct.

Question 27

What is the Locus of self knowledge according to

Burton and Mithchell 2003

Answer 27

The way you answer the questions about you depends upon interior and exterior categories.

Question 28

At which ages does it shift from exterior to interior knowing better?

Answer 28

7 years.

7+ more likely to say they know better; interior.
>6 more likely to say exterior.

Question 29

What cultural differences in self cognition were found by

Nisbett 2003

Answer 29

Western cultures tend to describe inner and enduring traits that transcend context and time.
Collectivist cultures give details for different contexts.

Question 30

At what stage in life do we switch from exterior to interior?

Answer 30

Early childhood

Not adolescence.