Theory of Mind: what is it and what does it explain about us?

Theory of Mind: the ability to think that I think that you think...

When we think of all those mental faculties that are characteristic of human beings and of no other species, it is very easy to think of language, the ability to learn all kinds of things or the possibility of solving complex mathematical problems.

These are easily observable human characteristics, but they are not the only ones we enjoy exclusively. There is another, much more discreet, thanks to which our social relationships are richer. This capacity has been called Theory of Mind.

What is Theory of Mind?

Generally defined, the Theory of Mind is the ability to be aware of the differences that exist between one's own point of view and that of others..

In other words, this faculty makes it possible for us to take into account the mental states of other subjects without assuming that these ideas or thoughts are like those of oneself. A person who has developed Theory of Mind can attribute ideas, desires and beliefs to the other agents with whom he or she interacts. And all this automatically, almost unconsciously.

A hierarchy of mental states

Very often we are exposed to situations in which we have to imagine what someone else is thinking. In turn, this person can assume, from the information he or she has about us, what we think he or she is thinking, and all this can also be inferred by us and by the other person in a theoretically infinite loop. A hierarchy of mental states that contain each other: I believe that you believe that I believe…

Theory of Mind ranks second in this hierarchy (I believe you believe this), and is the seed from which the ability to progress to the rest of the more complex categories is born.

How does Theory of Mind develop? The 4-year threshold

Human beings are probably the only species in which members can think of others as intentional agents. intentional agentsthat is, beings with their own interests. This means that from a very early age, the vast majority of humans are able to distinguish between an action and the goal to which that action is directed, even if the latter has not been clearly revealed. Moreover, within a few months of life, all people learn to be aware of where others are focusing their attentionand can therefore claim that attention for oneself or to something nearby.

These changes in the cognitive development of infants begin towards the end of the first year of age and are part of what is known as the nine-month revolutionThese changes in infants' cognitive development begin towards the end of the first year of life and are part of what is known as the nine-month revolution, from which emanate skills that build on each other and enhance the creation of complex social behaviors, such as pretend play, which requires understanding that the other is acting by using a banana as if it were a telephone, or imitation, in which the infant learns from the adult's actions and is able to figure out the purpose of each of the movements he or she is seeing.

Theory of Mind appears around 4 years of age and builds on the foundations of all these capacities derived from the nine months revolution, but it intervenes in mental processes of the child's mental processes.but involves more abstract and refined mental processes. Thus, all those who develop Theory of Mind think of others not only as intentional agents, but also as mental agents, with a whole series of complex psychological states of their own. Among these new mental states attributed to others are, for example, desires and beliefs.

The false belief experiment

The classic method for finding out whether a child has developed Theory of Mind is the false belief test. This is a test that can only be solved correctly if one is able to differentiate one's own knowledge about the environment from what someone else believes about it. In addition, it is an exercise that can be used to help detect cases of Autism Spectrum Disorders, since people who manifest symptoms associated with autism tend to show a poorly or not at all developed Theory of Mind.

In an example of this test, the psychologist manipulates two dolls to form a short narrative in which everything happens before the attentive gaze of the child being tested. First, the first doll shows a toy and then shows how it is stored in a nearby trunk. Then, the doll disappears from the scene and the second doll appears, who takes the toy out of the trunk and puts it in, for example, a backpack resting on the floor. At that point, the child is asked, "When the first doll comes back into the room, where is the first place you will look for the toy?"

Typically, children under the age of four will fail to give an answer, because they will believe that the first doll has the same information as they do and will go to look in the backpack first. However, at four years old most will already give a correct answer, proof that they have made the transition to Theory of Mind and have abandoned a rather egocentric perception of reality. egocentric perception of reality.

A short documentary to better understand this theory

Below you can watch a video showing an example of a false belief test applied to Theory of Mind detection: