Social Cognition and the Brain

Question 1

What is Theory of Mind?

Answer 1

The understanding that others have intentions, desires, beliefs, perceptions, and emotions different from one’s own and that such intentions, desires, and so forth affect people’s actions and behaviors.

Question 2

What do we know about the neural correlates of Theory of Mind?

Answer 2

Neural mechanisms may contribute to individual differences in children’s social cognitive behavior.

Question 3

What do we know about the neural correlates of morality and decision making?

Answer 3

Neural networks which interact to implement moral judgment and social decision-making, including systems for reward learning, valuation, mental state understanding, and salience processing.