What is theory of mind?

Theory of mind is a psychological concept that refers to the ability to attribute or understand the experiences of others without actually undergoing those experiences yourself. It involves the understanding that others have mental states that are different from one's own, which can impact their behavior. This concept is essential for social interactions and communication.

The term "theory of mind" is often associated with autism research. It was initially developed by Simon Baron-Cohen, a psychologist and neuroscientist. The test for theory of mind typically involves observing whether an individual can infer the thoughts or feelings of others based on their actions or expressions. For instance, in a common test, a child observes an exchange where one character hides an object and leaves, and another character enters looking for the object. The child is then asked what the second character is thinking or feeling. The ability to accurately infer these mental states is an indication of a well-developed theory of mind.

Children with autism often show differences in performing these tasks, as they might focus more on the factual elements (e.g., the location of the object) rather than inferring the mental state of the characters involved. Theory of mind is closely tied to brain circuits, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which influence how we set contexts and understand social interactions 1 2.