Theory of Mind

Theory of MindTheory of MindGallagher, H. L., & Frith, C. D. (2003)

Theory of MindTheory of Mind

Our ability to explain and predict other people’s behavior by attributing to them independent mental states


Our ability to explain and predict other people’s behavior by attributing to them independent mental states

This enables us to deceive, cooperate, and empathize with others

Also aids in predicting the behaviors of others


How can we study the mechanisms involved in having a theory of mind?◦Autism Studies

Autism StudiesAutism Studies

A characteristic of Autism is a selective impairment in theory of mind◦This accounts for deficits in communication,

socialization, and imagination

Autism StudiesAutism Studies

A characteristic of Autism is a selective impairment in theory of mind◦This accounts for deficits in communication,

socialization, and imagination

◦Sabotage/Deception Task

Leslie’s Model of MentalizingLeslie’s Model of Mentalizing

The theory of mind mechanism depends on a representation of imaginary circumstances ‘decoupled’ from reality

Ice Cream!

What informs our expectations?What informs our expectations?

General knowledge of the world



Specific knowledge of this person



Specific knowledge of this person

Observations of what he or she is doing

General Knowledge of the WorldGeneral Knowledge of the World

Scripts record the particular goals and activities which take place in a particular setting at a particular time.

◦Such as the ‘restaurant script’

NeuroimagingNeuroimaging


Anterior paracingulate cortex



Superior temporal sulcus




Temporal poles




Temporal poles

Amygdala




Temporal poles

Amygdala

Orbitofrontal cortex

Anterior Paracingulate CortexAnterior Paracingulate Cortex

Gallagher et al. (2002)


Gallagher et al. (2002)◦The anterior paracingulate cortex lit up in the

“mentalizing group”




McCabe et al. (2001)




McCabe et al. (2001)◦The anterior paracingulate cortex lit up for the

group playing “trust and reciprocity games” with human counterparts

Off-line vs. On-line MentalizingOff-line vs. On-line Mentalizing

Off-line mentalizing◦Mentalizing outside of a situation

Off-line vs. On-line MentalizingOff-line vs. On-line Mentalizing

Off-line mentalizing◦Mentalizing outside of a situation

On-line mentalizing◦Mentalizing in real time



Lesion Studies◦People with lesions on the right side of their

frontal lobe have difficulty detecting deception in others


Lesion Studies◦People with lesions on the right side of their

frontal lobe have difficulty detecting deception in others

Duncan and Owen (2001)◦The dorsal part of the anterior cingulate cortex

activated with increased task difficulty, but the anterior paracingulate activated during mentalizing

Superior Temporal SulcusSuperior Temporal Sulcus


Gallagher et al (2000)◦The right superior temporal sulcus is associated

with understanding the meaning of stories and cartoons involving people without having to necessarily mentalize


Causality and intentionality in settings involving people

Attribution of intentions and movements of geometric shapes

Taking the self-perspective


Biological Motion


Biological Motion

◦Hand actions

◦Body movements

◦Mouth movements and lip reading

◦Eye movements and gaze direction


Narumoto et al. (2001)◦The right superior temporal sulcus is part of a

network of face-responsive brain regions.

Temporal PolesTemporal Poles

Temporal PolesTemporal Poles

Recollection of familiar faces and scenes

Recognition of familiar voices

Emotional memory retrieval

Autobiographical memory retrieval

AmygdalaAmygdala

AmygdalaAmygdala

Makes quick, automatic judgments in socially salient situations

Orbitofrontal CortexOrbitofrontal Cortex


Responds to aversive reactions of others, particularly anger


Stone et al. (1998)◦Patients with bilateral damage to the

orbitofrontal cortex were impaired in a ‘faux pas test’


Involves a network of several brain areas which work together to help us

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Theory of Mind