Read the passage from a psychology textbook and the lecture that follows it, then answer the question. (Reading time in an actual test is 45-50 seconds.)
Theory of Mind
Theory of mind posits that humans have their own minds that they are aware of through intuition and introspection. We cannot directly see our own minds, and for this reason, the term “theory” is ascribed to the phenomenon, since the “mind” is somewhat intangible. Therefore, the word “law” cannot be applied because observations are not made with a concrete, reproducible model or specimen that can be proven after rigorous experimentation and application of the scientific method.
Theory of mind allows an individual to understand via analogy, reciprocity, social interaction, and recognizing similar experiences from their own life that another person must also have a mind with desires and perspectives. When an individual demonstrates an effective theory of mind, he or she is able to understand the emotions, thoughts, motivations, and mental state of another and use this awareness to “read” and evaluate this information in such a way as to explain and predict the other person’s behavior. Research indicates that humans develop the ability to understand the mental states and emotions of others through the course of normal healthy social and cognitive development, by interacting, observing, and imitating others and heeding attention to other people and their interactions and behavior.
Lecture
Question: Explain theory of mind and how the professor’s example illustrates the concept.
Give yourself 30 minutes of preparation, then take 60 seconds to respond. Click below to see an example response to this question.
Theory of mind is an idea closely related to empathy, that describes the awareness and appreciation that humans can have that other humans also have a mind with unique thoughts, desires, and intentions. When a person develops a healthy and effective theory of mind, that person can not only recognize another person’s thoughts and feelings, but also use that information and their own experiences to anticipate and rationalize the other person’s intentions and behaviors.
The professor’s example of the autistic female he worked with in graduate school demonstrates what happens when someone lacks a well-developed theory of mind. This young woman had difficulty in her social interactions because she often misunderstood the feelings, knowledge, and interests of her peers. For example, it was challenging for her to grasp the concept that other people may have less experience and less interest in computer games. Lacking an effective theory of mind made it hard for her to imagine the differing experiences, opinions, and feelings of others around her.