Theory Of Mind

Question 1

What is meant by theory of mind?

Answer 1

Our personal understanding of what other people are thinking and feeling.

Question 2

Outline the procedure of the Sally-Anne study.

Answer 2

Theory of mind - Baron Cohen

1. 20 autistic, 14 Down syndrome and 27 non autistic children.
2. Sally places a marble in her basket and leaves room, Anne then places marble in box.
3. Children asked where Sally would look for marble when she comes back.

Question 3

Outline the findings of the Sally-Anne study.

Answer 3

85% control (non autistic) correctly answered.
20 % autistic children answered correctly.

Question 4

Outline Maltzoff’s study on theory of mind.

Answer 4

1. 18 month old toddlers understand adult intentions.
2. Observed adult struggle to put beads in jar, toddlers dropped no beads when doing it themselves.
3. Shows they didn’t imitate action of adult but rather the intention.

Question 5

Give two weaknesses of theory of mind.

Answer 5

1. TOM ignores other cognitive abilities.
   Bloom and German: other abilities needed to pass TOM task - memory may influence answer.
   Shows infants may not remember specific details.
   Not holistic.
2. TOM may not be innately driven.
   Sabbagh and Callanan: found TOM can be developed by scaffolding - children can be taught to improve TOM.
   Shows TOM can improve with the help of others and so isn’t solely biological.
   Incomplete explanation - doesn’t consider experiential factors.

Question 6

Give one strength of TOM.

Answer 6

1. Perspective taking skills can be fostered by experience this has implications in schools, therapy + treatment for criminals.
   Antisocial criminal behaviour explained as result of lack of empathy + perspective taking skills.
   E.g social skills training programmes have been developed where prisoners are taught perspective taking skills to increase their empathetic concern for others.
   Improves interaction with others so improves quality of life.
   Therefore, real life app.