The Lens Shapes the View

on Task Dependency in ToM Research

authored by

Christina Breil, Anne Böckler

Abstract

Purpose of Review: This article provides an overview of current findings on Theory of Mind (ToM) in human children and adults and highlights the relationship between task specifications and their outcome in socio-cognitive research. Recent Findings: ToM, the capacity to reason about and infer others’ mental states, develops progressively throughout childhood—the exact time course is still a matter of debate. Neuroimaging studies indicate the involvement of a widespread neuronal network during mentalizing, suggesting that ToM is a multifaceted process. Accordingly, the tasks and trainings that currently exist to investigate and enhance ToM are heterogeneous, and the outcomes largely depend on the paradigm that was used. Summary: We argue for the implementation of multiple-task batteries in the assessment of socio-cognitive abilities. Decisions for a particular paradigm need to be carefully considered and justified. We want to emphasize the importance of targeted research on the relationship between task specifications and outcomes.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Psychology

External Organisation(s)

Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg
Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Science (MPI CBS)

Type

Review article

Journal

Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports

Volume

7

Pages

41-50

No. of pages

10

Publication date

06.2020

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Behavioral Neuroscience

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40473-020-00205-6 (Access: Open)