Theory of Mind in Autism

Abstract

Human beings are essentially social creatures. In what does this social ability lie? In the ability to love, to feel sympathy, to make friendships? Or, is it in the ability to cheat, deceive, and outsmart opponents? In fact it is these unpleasant abilities that reveal the extent of human social understanding. These abilities demonstrate our special human ability to think about thoughts, and hence to "out-think" one another. It is this ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others that is captured by the phrase "theory of mind." Of course, a theory of mind also has positive effects; it allows us to empathize, to communicate, and to imagine others' hopes and dreams.