social cognition : theory of mind

Question 1

theory of mind

Answer 1

-allows us to understand/identify what other people are thinking and feeling
-develops at about 3-4 years old
-those with autism may have a defect in this

Question 2

testing it in toddlers (meltzoff, 1988)

Answer 2

-18 months attempt to put beans in a jar
-control group were successful
-experimental dropped the beads

Question 3

testing it in children with autism (baron-cohen et al) Sally Anne task

Answer 3

-20 autistic children, 27 neurodivergent and 14 with down-syndrome
-Sally puts marbles in her basket and walks away and Anne moves the marbles into her box
-The children asked where Sally would look for her marbles

Question 4

Sally-Anne task : findings

Answer 4

-85% of control could successfully answer
-only 25% with autism could
-suggests that children with autism lack theory of mind

Question 5

weakness - issues with validity

Answer 5

-false belief requires the ability to perspective take and use visual memory
-some can engage successfully in play but unsuccessful in false belief
-therefore false belief doesn’t assess TOM

Question 6

strength - real world application

Answer 6

-people with autism have difficulty understanding intentions of others (struggle with false belief)
-explains why those with autism may struggle with social interaction
HOWEVER
-other factors with autism and might not struggle with TOM