Evolution of Mentalising Flashcards
define -Mentalising
To predict and explain behaviour by invoking abstract concepts like mind, desire, think and remember.
What are the abilities associated with mentalising
Imagination, communication, social coordination, gaze direction, understanding self.
Why does Mentalising comes from natural selection
Advantageous for the individual, better to understand and predict behaviour.
When did the development of self concept occur?
At some point in evolutionary history where individuals became aware of themselves in addition to the world around them
Why don’t s simple species, like rats, have theory of mind?
Their behaviours can be explained by knowledge of reinforcement history, can’t predict human behaviour based on one aspect.
Are we capable of mind reading?
No
Simply information that we have been exposed to.
Does theory of mind count as ESP (extra sensory perception)
No
Just skilled observers.
Do women have better developed theory of mind than men?
Better socially, and stronger willingness to reflect upon interactions and behaviours of others.
Who lacks theory of mind?
Autism and Aspergers Syndrome.
Who are the famous historical figures who had Autism ?
Newton
Wittgenstein
Hugh Blair of Boruge
Can theory of mind be studied within the branch of experimental psychology?
Yes, measures of true belief, and false belief.
What is a good test of true beliefs?
Unexpected transfer test (Maxi and the chocolate)
Deceptive Box Test (Smarties)
Do Apes have theory of mind?
Chimps,
Bonbos
Gorillas
Have theory of mind due to common ancestor.
When does gaze direction develop?
18 months expert
6 months simple shifting
- Butterworth
What are the benefits of being able to track gaze direction?
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.
Can Chimps follow gaze?
YES
Povinell and Eddy 1996, when obstructed on human side, placed head against the glass.
Development of Self Knowledge, from Mirror-Self Recognition
Able to identify self in movement but not if stationary.
Is there a difference between seeing reflection of self and seeing a video?
YES
Povinell et al. 1996
When do children pass the mirror-self recognition test?
18 months
By touching red mark on own face.
When do chimps pass the mirror-self recognition test?
8 years
How many stages of development did Kohlberg come up with?
2
Stage 1: Gender Identification
Stage 2: Gender Permanence.
What and when does Stage 1: Gender Identification involve?
Identify own gender correctly and consistently.
3 years old.
What and when does Stage 2: Gender Permanence involve ?
Can judge that gender is stable and enduring.
6 years old.
What are the components of gender identity?
Gender concept
Learning gender- appropriate behaviours and stereotypes
Identifying with parents
Developing gender preference
When does the shift from a focus on physical aspects of self to psychological occur?
10+ shift to psychological.
What were the results of Rosenberg 1967
70% of 10yrs old Mum correct
60% of 15yrs old they would be correct.
What is the Locus of self knowledge according to
Burton and Mithchell 2003
The way you answer the questions about you depends upon interior and exterior categories.
At which ages does it shift from exterior to interior knowing better?
7 years.
7+ more likely to say they know better; interior.
>6 more likely to say exterior.
What cultural differences in self cognition were found by
Nisbett 2003
Western cultures tend to describe inner and enduring traits that transcend context and time.
Collectivist cultures give details for different contexts.
At what stage in life do we switch from exterior to interior?
Early childhood
Not adolescence.
