theory of mind evaluation

Question 1

the false belief tasks lack validity

Answer 1

False belief tasks lack validity

Bloom and German suggest that the success on a false belief task requires other cognitive abilities apart from the Theory of mind e.g. memory

The Sally Anne story is quite long for a 3 year old to remember

This is problematic as Theory of Mind is dominated by false beliefs research

Question 2

many of the methods used to study theory of mind could simply be measuring perspective-taking

Answer 2

many of the methods used to study theory of mind could simply be measuring perspective-taking

for example, responses to the Sally Anne task could be explained by the children’s ability to take Sally’s perspective

Theory of Mind, therefore, is hard to distinguish from perspective-taking

This challenges the validity of Theory of Mind research if it is just measuring the ability to view social situations from another person’s point of view

Question 3

There is no clear understanding of how theory of mind works

Answer 3

There is no clear understanding on how theory of mind works

Perner et al adopt a Piagetian approach and see Theory of Mind as simply developing all cognitive abilities

But Wilde Astignton takes a more Vygotskian approach and suggests that we internalise our Theory of mind during early interactions with adults

If we do not know how Theory of Mind develops, it cannot be used s a casual explanation for ASD

Question 4

The Eye task lacks validity

Answer 4

The Eye task lacks validity

The experience of looking at a static pair of eyes in isolation is very different from real life where we usually have access to additional information

This questions the theory of Mind research as it suggests the theory is not standing on an acceptable level of empirical-based ideas

It may be that the concepts are difficult o test but, until they are, the theory cannot be regarded as valid